2017 Fall Preview: Waynesville Football

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Year Three of the Brad Drehle Era at Waynesville has a simple, yet profound slogan.

Restore the Roar.

After going winless in 2016, Drehle returns 13 total starters and has the pieces in place that can help lead Waynesville to its first winning season since 2010.

“Last season was tough on everyone,” said Drehle. “Our kids have worked hard through the off-season and improved our strength. We are working to build unity within our team. The kids are excited to get on the field and leave last season behind. This is the 10-year reunion of the 2007 State Championship and we have adopted the slogan “Restore the Roar!!!” We hope to prop ourselves up on the Waynesville Tradition and move forward.”

Yes, defense wins champions, but this year the Tigers will be buoyed by an offense that returns seven starters and has several other players that played meaningful snaps last year.

Senior David Adams Jr. is back and is projected and will find the ball in his hands often. Adams Jr. has played some running back and slot back in the past, starting since his sophomore year, and his versatility will be key for Waynesville. He is joined in the backfield by Braden Drehle, who started six games at quarterback as a junior and is poised to take over the starting role full-time.

“Our skill kids return from last year and are bigger, faster, and stronger than last year,” said Drehle. “We believe they are ready to be varsity players and will compete in the Ozark Conference. They are excited to get out and reap the reward for their hard work.”

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Drehle and Adams Jr. will benefit from playing behind an offensive line that returns starters Nic Clary, Devon Stearns and Tim Brech Jr. Three-year starter Ethan Gatzemeyer is also returning at tight end.

The defense is also an experienced group with seniors Eddy Yoon (DE), Trenton Sexton (LB) and Eric Kane (LB) all back in the mix. Junior Maleek Hopper started as a sophomore and will be counted on to make plays in the defensive backfield.

Senior Tracy Gates is a big, physical presence that could find himself playing safety or outside linebacker for the Tigers. His versatility only adds to this defense.

Several sophomores should find their way onto the field as well.

Shen Butler-Lawson has all of the tools to be an impactful back in the OC, as well as the frame. Jimmy Murphy, a 6-foot-1 receiver, is expected to make plays on the outside and Kaiden Tripp, who was a piece of Waynesville’s state qualifying 4X100M relay, will add his explosiveness to this Tiger defense.

The question will be is this team ready to compete every Friday in the loaded Ozark Conference? Drehle believes the league will be a gauntlet yet again, which will allow his team to be challenged and yet grow every single week.

“The conference will be tough this season,” said Drehle. “West Plains has built a good program that is big and physical, Lebanon returns a bunch of kids from last season including their entire backfield in the option attack and are ready to compete, Hillcrest returns some very good skill kids, Parkview has a new coach but return good talent, Rolla Coach Franks has infused excitement and energy into that program which finished on a roll last season, Joplin is big and physical with good talent, Camdenton as usual will be physical with a tremendous running game and could have the best RB and LB in the conference, Glendale is high flying and with their QB are always in a game, Kickapoo will reload with good young talent. As you said no off weeks you must be on your game each week.”

Waynesville opens the 2017 season on Aug. 18 at West Plains.

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