2020 Fall Preview: Strafford Football

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

Tim Hester is entering his 20th season at Strafford and the Indians will look for their first district title since 2014 with 11 full or part-time starters returning.

Everything will be centered around the return of a fully intact offensive and defensive line.

Seniors Jaevon Stafford, Jaydyn Stafford, Hunter Blankenship, Anthony Perry, Chris Cook and Tyler Gravelin will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. All are returning full and part-time starters from last year.

“Our offensive strengths this season will be our offensive line,” said Hester. “We bring back all five starters, so having continuity and familiarity at that position, especially with a delayed offseason will be huge for us. Our defensive strength will also be our defensive line. They’re the same group who play offensive line, so they’re all coming back.

“These guys have really worked hard in the weight room this summer, and we’re looking forward to seeing it translate on the field. We also bring back three starting skill positions who played every snap for us on offense and defense last year. They’ll be looking to take a bigger step in production this season. Anytime you can return a core group of players who gained a year of experience it’s a positive.”

At the skill positions there will be an abundance of new faces.

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Hester is expecting senior Vance Mullins to slide in at quarterback. Mullins was an All-Mid-Lakes defensive back last season and also saw time at receiver.

He will be counted on to be a two-way standout this year.

“Vance is a hard worker and fierce competitor, but one thing we love the most about him is his mind,” said Hester. “He’s always thinking, making suggestions, and he knows where everyone is supposed to be on every play. Vance is the leader on our team, and we look forward to watching him lead us on the field this fall.”

Junior Mason Denning, an All-Mid-Lakes tight end as a sophomore, will be one of the top pass-catching threats in the Ozarks after sliding over to receiver.

“Mason moved in last season and started on both sides of the ball as a sophomore,” said Hester. “He’s another great kid who works hard on and off the field. He has great hands, and we’ll look for him to take a big step forward offensively for us this season.”

Senior Kyle Schatzer is another returner at receiver and to the defensive back field. Sophomore Dakota Ames, who will also serve as the team’s back-up quarterback, started at linebacker as a freshman.

Junior Jon Watt and sophomore Caleb Wells will look to make two-way impacts at running back and linebacker. Sophomore Ayden House will compete for reps at corner and receiver, classmate Brandon Eagleburger – at 6-foot-2, 320 pounds – is one of the most physically imposing figures in the entire conference.

Hester also believes freshman Silas Morton could potentially make an impact at several positions on either side of the ball.

For Strafford to make a run at a conference or district championship, the road will likely go through rival Fair Grove. Grove has won five of the last six meetings and ended Strafford’s season in 2018.

The Indians are excited to get rolling this fall, but the first Friday in October – when Fair Grove comes to town – will continue to hold special significance as Strafford looks to make another deep run.

“Year after year our biggest rival is Fair Grove,” said Hester. “We preach one game at a time, but we know our players and community are always looking forward to that game. It’s always fun to strap it up against those guys and compete. Both our towns really show up on that Friday night, so the atmosphere is always great, and the boys really feed off it.

“We want to create an environment of consistent competition. We want to compete in the weight room, practice, and let it translate onto the field. Our goal is to spread the ball around and let playmakers be playmakers. Our key matchup is whoever we’re playing that week, but of course, the one the kids all circle on the calendar is Fair Grove.”

Strafford will open the 2020 season on Aug. 28 at Liberty. The Indians will play their home opener the following Friday against Ava.

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