Twenty total Cassville football players are working this summer at the linebacker and secondary positions, competing with one another for varsity time in the upcoming season.
Returning from camp at William Jewel last week and wrapping up three total weeks of workouts, Coach Clay Weldy said his seniors are the main leaders on the defensive side, but starters will not be determined until Week 1.
Working at linebacker this summer are seniors Joseph Craft and Angel Vail; juniors Kyle Bailey, Chayton Issler, Hunter Morse and Isaac Pickett; and sophomores Chance Freed, Tristan Thompson and Sky Yang.
“Hunter and Tristan have done a really good job at inside linebacker,” Weldy said. “Both have had a good summer. At outside linebacker, Joseph, Isaac, Angel and Kyle, who has an injury but is doing what he can, have all been doing good. Those six have been the guys getting the most reps, but that doesn’t mean they will be starters per se. Sky has a chance to get in there, as well.”
Weldy said though the group supports one another, there is no shortage of competition for those starting spots.
“There’s good competition there, and the jamboree will be a really good test for all of the team, but that position group especially will get its first taste of Friday night experience,” Weldy said. “We’ll see who stands out.”
To earn a spot, Weldy said starters must hit hard and communicate well.
“To play linebacker, you have to be very physical, and you have to be able to communicate because you’re talking to the line and secondary. You’ve also got to be able to move and play the run or the pass. Be athletic and communicate.”
Behind the linebacker corps is a group of sophomore-heavy, senior-led secondary.
Working at corner and safety are seniors Dakota Bowen, Garrett Ewing and Bryson Jacobson; junior Bodee Rose; and sophomores Jadon Castleberry, Eli Genzler, Andon Goutney, Riley James, Tyler Rattigan, Colton Roark and Logan Wingo.
All the upperclassmen are two-way players, with Bowen and Ewing at receiver, Jacobson at running back and Rose at quarterback. Weldy, however, said Rose’s play will be on an as-needed basis.
“Bodee will do what we need him to do,” Weldy said. “He started with Colton at camp, and we rotated in guys to see who else can play varsity. If we get three or four in a good rotation, that will help keep Bodee off the defensive side of the field.”
Weldy said the secondary positions are critical due to the possibility of a big play, meaning experience is a big help.
“These guys are young and athletic, and we are getting them seasoned because if you make one mistake back there, it could be a touchdown,” Weldy said. “It’s a huge jump from playing freshman ball to varsity. We are working different pass combinations and how to get off stalk blocks.”
Ewing and Jacobson are returning starters on the defensive end, serving as the Wildcats’ eagle eyes this season.
“Garrett and Bryson are experienced and vocal, and both have had good summers,” Weldy said. “Having some seniors back there is good, and Bryson has started varsity at linebacker and safety, so he knows both roles and has a different viewpoint.
“It’s always nice to have seniors, especially with young guys possibly in front of them. Hopefully, if something happens, they can take care of it.”
As with any position, Weldy said lining up correctly is important, and the secondary have other skillsets unique to the role.
“You have to line up correctly because we see a lot of different formations in our conference,” Weldy said. “You have to be physical and be a sure tackler in space, which can be difficult to do. You have to defeat stalk blocks and not make a big mistake that gives up the home run play.
“You have to have your eyes in the right spot and make sure you don’t get fooled — that comes from experience and a bit of football knowledge.”
Publisher’s Note: This story is the fourth in a five-part series running July 12 through Aug. 9 breaking down the 2023 Cassville football team by position group.
