2017 Fall Preview: Glendale Football

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

No program in the Ozarks had a better turnaround than the Glendale Falcons in 2016.

It seemed like it all clicked in Mike Mauk’s third year at the helm with the Falcons improving their win total by seven games, going 11-1 and earning Ozark Conference and Class 5 – District 4 championships before losing to eventual Class 5 runner-up Fort Zumwalt North in the state quarterfinals.

“I was really excited for the senior class we had,” sid Mauk. “That group was filled with great leaders that preserved through some tough seasons. Not only did we have some great players, but great leaders and great kids and set an example to follow for younger kids to emulate to move the program forward.”

Glendale will be missing 13 starters from last year’s team – nine of which are on the defensive side of the ball – meaning it will likely be a reload on one side of the ball and a rebuild on the other.

The same Glendale offense that torched opponents for 52 points and more than 550 yards a night returns seven starters, including all five on the offensive line and All-Everything quarterback Alex Huston.

Huston owns nearly every major passing record in state history, resetting his own records for passing yards (6,131) and passing touchdowns (76). He already owns Missouri records in both categories for career totals entering his senior year.

The Gatorade Missouri Player of the Year will now take aim at the national passing touchdown record of 219, held by former Mizzou quarterback and current Glendale assistant coach Maty Mauk.

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“I don’t think he’s ever focused or talked about records; he just wants to be great in the role we have for him in our offense,” said Mauk. “Ben and Maty have been there before and understand what it takes to be successful and to have both of those guys on the sidelines coaching him, encouraging him and helping him continue to understand his progressions is a great thing.

“Our offense relies on the quarterback’s ability to get the ball out to receivers on time and accurately and Alex does that about as good as anyone we’ve ever had.”

Glendale also returns the entire offensive line that helped keep Huston upright throughout 2016, led by 3-year starter Remy Bilodeau. However, Huston will be targeting new receivers after losing his top four threats from last season, three of which will play college football this fall, including Princeton-bound all-stater Luke Montgomery (86 receptions, 1,811 receiving yards, 25 TDs).

Despite losing three 1,000-yard receivers that Mauk has acknowledged will be very difficult to replace, the cupboard isn’t exactly bare.

Senior Nader Leali returns after hauling in 38 catches for 575 yards and five touchdowns last fall. Classmate Max Nichols is also due for a role increase after leading Glendale in yards per catch in 2016, turning just 31 receptions into 760 yards and nine touchdowns.

Mauk also expects junior Winston Quinn and sophomore Shivell Crosby are also expected to be extremely productive on Friday nights.

But, the question for Glendale under Mauk has never been the team’s offense, but its defense.

Defensively the Falcons were a bend but don’t break unit in 2016, holding opponents to just 23 PPG. This after surrendering 53 PPG in 2015 and 50 PPG in 2014.

Glendale must replace nine starters from last year’s unit, including All-Ozark Conference picks Kyle Doran (228 tackles), Ian Marshall (70 tackles, 15 TFL) and Carson Liston. The Falcons also lose Nick Austin, Brandon Moon and Brett Davis, all 2nd-Team All-OC selections.

Among the two returning starters is All-OC senior Max Penny (101 tackles, 9 TFL) and classmate Dylan May.

There will be a slew of newcomers expected to help keep opposing offenses in check next year, especially in the defensive secondary where Glendale returns zero starters.

Mauk is excited about the development of seniors Jagger Newman, Hunter Alstrand and Bailey Fisher. Junior Jaxon Harbour is also seen as a key returning letterman on the defensive side of the ball.

“We don’t have much of varsity experience for those guys trying to step in and compete for spots defensively and it’ll be tough to fill on the fly against our schedule; they’ll have to learn on the job,” said Mauk. “We have to find some guys that can do what we need them to do and try to be as good as we were last year and that’s the big challenge to our players and coaching staff.”

After having just one winning season in the previous eight years, 2016 saw Mauk’s unique system put Glendale back on the map.

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And, Mauk isn’t naive in understanding what needs to be done for this new group of Falcons to continue to carry the program forward.

“Seasons like last year don’t happen by chance; your attitude, work ethic and commitment to the program are what make runs happen,” said Mauk. “Right now we have questions about our leadership and who is going to step up and help us do those things to be successful. I’m going to challenge our coaches to do their best job coach and I’ll challenge our players the same way.

“I’m optimistic but I’m also realistic and we have a long way to go. This conference is tough and there are some great quarterbacks, running backs and teams returning. We are young and inexperienced defensively in a great offensive league and we’ll really need to grow to be ready to compete.”

Glendale opens the 2017 season at home against Joplin on Aug. 18.

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