Three seniors are taking leadership roles on the Cassville football team’s offense, guiding a slew of juniors and sophomores at the running back, receiver and tight end positions.
Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said seniors Bryson Jacobson and Garrett Ewing return at running back and wide receiver, respectively, and Cosmo Rhoads, returning to the team after playing soccer last year, is set to start at tight end.
“We are working several kids at running back,” Weldy said. “We also have juniors Kyle Bailey, Hunter Morse, Isaac Pickett and Chayton Issler, as well as sophomores Colton Roark and Chance Freed. Sophomores Andon Goutney and Tristan Thompson have also been working at quarterback and running back.”
Weldy said Jacobson started every game last year, gaining the game experience the Wildcats cannot buy.
“He has a lot of starts under his belt, and he’s put on good weight and gotten bigger in the offseason,” Weldy said. “All of them are doing lots of good things. We only have two weeks of camp left, so over those next two weeks, we expect to see some guys separate themselves, and we’ll have a better idea of who will be on the field.”
Weldy said the Wildcats plan to have multiple running backs on the field this season, and the little things will play significant roles in getting game-time snaps.
“We don’t necessarily have great speed, but this group is quick and moves well,” Weldy said. “They are an athletic group. The big thing we are working on is taking care of the football, not putting it on the ground and giving up turnovers. We are also doing a lot of fundamentals, working on plays, mesh points, dive paths and putting the football in the right spot. We also put an emphasis on blocking because that’s a big part of what we do with our fullbacks.”
Blocking is also a focus for Cassville wide receiver core, led by Ewing and fellow seniors Dakota Bowen and Joey Craft. Sophomores Jadon Castleberry, Eli Genzler, Riley James, Michael Phillips, Sky Yang and Logan Wingo may also contribute.
“Garrett led us in receptions last year and was First Team All-Conference, so we’re bringing him back as the leader of the group,” Weldy said. “Other guys have played a lot, too, so we’ll see who takes steps forward. The older guys are doing a good job, but the younger guys are doing good things, too.”
Weldy said for his receivers, there is one major qualifier to getting on the field — knowing how to line up.
“The first thing is to know the formations and line up correctly,” he said. “If you can’t get lined up correctly, I can’t play you. From there, we look for guys who can catch the football and stalk block. For some, it’s a refresher, and for other starting new or switching positions, they are finding was to play ball.”
Stalk blocking is a skill Weldy said can separate players and move them toward the top of the depth chart.
“When you’re blocking a really good athlete out in space, it takes a certain skillset to stay in front of them and get your hands on them without getting called for holding. It’s a tough skillset to learn.”
Cassville’s tight ends will be even more crucial in the blocking game, but also need good hands when necessary. At about 6-4 or 6-5, Rhoads started on the defensive line as a sophomore. After playing soccer last year, he has returned to the gridiron and is set to start at tight end.
“Cosmo has done a really good job and works hard,” Weldy said. “He’s a big kid with a lot of natural ability and moves well for his size. He’s a fast kid, and we’re excited to have him back. It makes us better having him, and he has the opportunity to be a good player for us on both sides of the ball.”
Also working at the tight end position are junior Malcolm Terry and sophomores Trevor Brookes and Trevis Moore.
“All these groups, there’s lots of guys there, and that’s a good thing,” Weldy said. “We’re watching the reps and looking for guys to separate themselves. At tight end, you have to be able to block first and foremost, and our blocking scheme can change week to week. So, it takes some intelligence there and a willingness to listen and make little tweaks you have to be cognizant of.
“And, it always helps to be able to catch the ball. That can make our offense different in a good way.”
Publisher’s Note: This story is the second in a five-part series running July 12 through Aug. 9 breaking down the 2023 Cassville football team by position group.
