By Justin Sampson (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Some years just mean growing pains. Some years, new faces on the field have to go through their share of challenges.
Nixa experienced those in 2018, what proved to be the first losing season for the program in a decade. The Eagles finished 3-7 after dropping a 42-41 thriller against Parkview in the opening round of districts.
Coach Richard Rehagen has traditionally rotated in a large number of players on offense. That always means a host of returning players that received spot starts or, at minimum, the experience of a handful of varsity snaps.
“We have lettermen competing for spots that got some great experience late last year,” said Rehagen. “It’s a process every year.”
The biggest offensive hole is left by All-Central Ozark Conference running back Sean Sample, who accounted for more than two-thirds of the Eagles’ rushing yards and all but two of the team’s rushing touchdowns in 2018. Senior Alex Wentz returns to carry some of that load as he transitions from the fullback role to that of a tailback.
Junior Reid Potts is also back under center after seeing limited time in the latter portion of last season. He completed 23 of 36 passes for 324 yards and four scores while showing steady improvement with each series.
“(Potts) just got more comfortable as the year went along,” said Rehagen. “I thought he did well each time. Going from a Monday night to a Friday night, there’s a different speed to the game.”
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Caleb Pierce is the top returning receiver after grabbing four passes for 83 yards a sophomore. Fellow juniors Nate Nixon and Isaac Forbis and senior Sam Cochran will also factor into the passing game.
Seniors Sam Davi and Matthew Vorse will reprise their roles on the offensive line as the Eagles spend fall camp searching for pieces to plug in around them.
“It always takes a while for the offensive line to come together, especially when you replace three starters. I’m hoping our defensive line is further along with three starters back.”
Davi will also return to the defensive line with seniors DeSean Downs and Trey Loden. Downs is the top returning tackler from 2018 with 47 along with two sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries. Senior Ely Caufield is also expected to produce after impressing his coaches during the offseason.
The other two returning starters can be found in the secondary in senior Jared Spence and junior Kolyn Eli.
The linebacking corps will be the biggest question mark with no returners. Junior Riley Childs is expected to claim one of those openings. How quickly they take advantage of increased action across a varsity schedule could determine the fate of this defense.
Overall, Rehagen has been impressed with the motivation of this group over the spring and summer. Recent years have been a revolving door of talent, but Nixa is as prepared as ever for those consistent changes.
“It’s always a matter of bringing everyone together and seeing where they all fit.”
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