A disappointing end to the 2015 regular season didn’t stop the Lebanon Yellowjackets from making a postseason push.
Coach: Will Christian (12th season)
2015 Record: 7-5 overall (lost 27-14 to Battle in Class 5, District 4 title game)
Players to Watch: John Berry (RB), Lakiah Capps (DB), Jack Ehrhardt (WR/DB), Colby Lathrop (OL), Hunter McGuire (LB), Dillon Wagoner (LB), Hayden Weddle (LB)
From 5-0 overall, to 5-4 overall, to being two quarters away from a district championship, Lebanon had its fair share of highs and lows in 2015.
After not faring well in previous postseason matchups against Class 5 powers such as Lee’s Summit West and Raymore-Peculiar, the Yellowjackets went into the offseason with a sense of optimism by playing Class 5 defending state champion Battle to a close loss in the district finals.
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"We felt like we had maybe taken some other steps in this program, competing with – arguably – the elite-level Class 5 teams, which we hadn't done," Christian said. "That was the first time I felt like, against a state-championship level Class 5 opponent, we really went toe-to-toe."
As the Yellowjackets turn the page to a new season, Lebanon is seeking new leaders after graduating a large senior class and 12 starters overall, including eight on offense.
"(Leadership) has come from a collective group that have really grasped it," Christian said. "They've really been focused on trying to encourage their teammates and keep everyone working hard."
Lebanon’s defense will be led by its linebacker unit, where the Yellowjackets return four players who started six games or more last season. Inside linebacker Hayden Weddle is Lebanon’s top returning tackler, recording 124 total stops – including seven for loss – a year ago.
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He’s flanked by outside linebackers Dillon Wagoner and Hunter McGuire, who combined for 125 tackles. In addition, senior inside linebacker Levi Pettyjohn had 67 tackles in only six starts.
Add in defensive end Cannon York (6’3”, 215 lbs.) and defensive backs Lakiah Capps and two-way player Jack Ehrhardt, and the Yellowjackets have seven players with starting experience back on the defensive side of the ball.
On offense, Lebanon will hand the reigns to junior quarterback Cole Breeden. His mobility and speed is an ideal fit for Lebanon’s flexbone system.
Junior running back John Berry showed promise in limited duty last season, averaging seven yards per carry on 55 attempts. Juniors Hunter Bray and Cole McBride will also see carries, in addition to Breeden and Wagoner.
Lebanon, which one ran a spread offense under Christian, has switched to the run-heavy flexbone system in recent seasons.
"I think our kids here are blue collar by nature," Christian said. "They like (the flexbone) and want to be a part of it."
Up front, the Yellowjackets graduated an all-state offensive lineman in Isaac Archer, but return what should be one of the league’s best linemen in senior Colby Lathrop (6’3”, 260 lbs.).
"He's a dominant, road-grader style offensive lineman," Christian said. "He comes every day with one purpose on offense and that's to move the chains. For what we do on offense, that's extremely valuable to have up front."
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Lebanon, which has a smaller-than-usual senior class of about 18 players, is seeking its third Ozark Conference championship since 2010.
The Yellowjackets will also be in a new district – Class 5, District 4 against the likes of Branson, Central, Glendale, Ozark and Waynesville.
