By Staff

2019 Fall Preview: Cassville Football

By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Lance Parnell enters his 22nd season at Cassville – seven has a head coach – coming off one the program’s best season in nearly a decade.

The Wildcats won the Big 8 championship, marching through the regular season unbeaten and capping Week 9 with a dramatic, comeback victory against Lamar.

While it didn’t have the desired ending, 2018 will forever be remembered as a special run by a unique group of seniors that helped reestablish the legacy of Cassville Football.

“Last year’s seniors were a very special class,” said Parnell. “They came ready to work every day and were not only good players, but more importantly great leaders. They did a great job of setting an example that this year’s group of seniors and picked up right where they left off. Last season’s conference championship was special, and to win it in a great football game Week 9 against an outstanding program like Lamar in a fantastic football atmosphere was awesome.”

Cassville did graduate some big names from last season’s 11-1 group, but the cupboard is hardly bare. Everyone around the Big 8 should be expecting more of a reload than a rebuild, starting with a class of explosive seniors.

Bowen Preddy and DJ White both played major roles as juniors, as did Zach Coenen.

Preddy was an All-Big 8 selection at running back and safety, rushing for 616 yards and adding 426 receiving yards with 20 total touchdowns. Coenen added 463 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore fullback.

White, an All-State receiver, was the deep threat, turning 43 receptions into 849 yards and nine touchdowns, disabling opponents to load the box against Cassville’s always formidable run attack.

“We expect DJ to be DJ,” said Parnell. “He will play WR and Corner as he did a year ago. As I tell all of our kids, Just go do your job and count on your teammates around you to do your job and all will work out. I expect DJ will do his job very well.”

The offensive line will be anchored by senior center Troy Hagins and junior Jaiden Reibert. Both started a year ago.

Junior Drake Reese will retain his kicking duties. Not only did he make the game-winner against Lamar, but he also had 32 touchbacks last season.

This will be the first time in four years that the starting quarterback isn’t Shannon Haney.

Defensively there will be new faces all over the field, but the returners are extremely talented.

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Seniors Andrew Prier and Deven Bates will anchor the defensive line and secondary after becoming big-time players last fall.

Senior Kade Hayward, as well as Preddy and White, will join Bates to form one of the top secondary units in the Big 8. Coenen will return to his linebacker spot.

This fall will look different.

Cassville averaged 38 PPG last year, its most in more than a decade, while allowing just 15 PPG, its fewest since 2012.

With inexperience on both sides of the ball, Parnell knows his team won’t be a complete group early. The adjustment period could take several weeks as kids acclimate to Friday night lights.

Parnell knows exactly what it will take to get his team ready for playoff football…

“Reps. It takes time for kids to get used to the speed of the game on Friday nights vs. Monday nights,” said Parnell. “We know we have a ton of inexperienced players when it comes to Friday night experience. We must get better each week with the hope of playing well in November.

“Us improving each week of the season and playing our best football when it comes district time. We will have to fill several holes left by graduation.”

Cassville will open the 2019 season at home against Aurora on Aug. 30.