By Chris Parker

2020 All O-Zone Football Team

The Sixth Annual All-O-Zone Top 33 Football Team is here.

This team is different than other teams in that we are selecting the top 33 players in the Ozarks regardless of position and placing them on a First 11, Second 11 and Third 11. This leaves room for multiple players from the same position without having to force a team together based solely on positions and allows us to evaluate players for what they did on both sides of the ball.

To get to these final 33 we used coach nominations and observations along with staff observations throughout the season. In addition, stats, postseason honors and team success played a big role in helping us identify the Top 33 players in the Ozarks from the thousands that played this season.

2019 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2018 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2017 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE
2016 All-O-Zone Football Team – CLICK HERE

NAMES ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER OUTSIDE OF THE TOP POY, OPOY & DPOY.

First 11

Case Tucker, Lamar Senior (Player of the Year)

Lamar carried the banner for Southwest Missouri this year as not only area’s lone state champion, but also the area’s only state finalist. Leading that team was Case Tucker. He was the area’s only consensus Offensive Player of the Year, as he earned that honor for the Big 8 West, Class 2 SWMFCA Region and Class 2 All-State. Tucker was also the only area player to be named Offensive Player of the Year across all six classes. He led the Tigers to a 12-1 overall record and a Class 2 state championship. Tucker carried the ball 225 times for 1,622 yards and 22 touchdowns. As a quarterback, he threw for 1,004 yards and 12 more touchdowns. He became the first Lamar quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in a season since Trenton Doyle in 2009. Tucker was also a key player on defense with 58 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and four tackles for a loss.

Offensive Stats: 1,004 yards passing, 12 TD, 225 carries, 1,622 yards, 22 TD
Defensive Stats: 58 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries
Honors: Class 2 Offensive Player of the Year, Class 2 First-Team All-State QB, Class 2 Region Offensive Player of the Year, Class 2 First-Team All-Region QB, Class 2 Second-Team Region LB, Big 8 West Offensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Big 8 West QB

Devrin Weathers, Webb City Senior (Offensive Player of the Year)

Devrin Weathers is probably the most talented football player in southwest Missouri. There is a reason he is going to be playing Big 12 football at Kansas State. He was No. 3 in the area in rushing yards with 1,782 yards and 28 touchdowns on 183 carries. There were 27 area running backs who had at least 1,000 yards rushing. Weathers’ 9.7 yards per carry was second among that group. Every time Weathers touched the ball, he was going to get a first down.

Offensive Stats: 183 carries, 1,782 yards, 28 TD
Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State RB, Class 5-6 Region Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region RB, Class 5-6 Second-Team All-Region Returner, COC Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-COC RB, Second-Team All-COC Returner

Treghan Parker, Webb City Senior (Defensive Player of the Year)

Treghan Parker was an easy choice as the Defensive Player of the Year. Every coach I talked to raved about his defensive ability from his safety position. The first three plays on his highlight tape above tell you a lot about Parker’s game. Want to run the ball? He is going to come down and hit you. Hard. Throwing the ball? You better account for his whereabouts or it is about to be Webb City ball. He had 62 solo tackles (112 total tackles), six interceptions, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was a true game-changer on defense.

Defensive Stats: 112 total tackles, 62 solo tackles, 6 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State DB, Class 5-6 Region Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous Class 5-6 All-Region DB, COC Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-COC DB

Patrick Carlton, Carthage Senior

Carlton has been one of the area’s top players since he took over at quarterback two years ago. As a senior, Carlton threw for 1,096 yards and eight touchdowns while carrying the ball 205 times for 1,272 yards and 25 touchdowns. Carlton is a true dual-threat quarterback. He also was one of the top punters in the COC.

Offensive Stats: 1,096 yards passing, 8 TD, 205 carries, 1,272 yards 25 TD
Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State Athlete, Unanimous First-Team Class 5-6 All-Region QB, First-Team All-COC QB, Second-Team All-COC Punter

Cooper Ezard, Camdenton Senior

The quarterback changed at Camdenton this year, but Cooper Ezard brought consistency to the offense at wide receiver. He was the area’s leading receiver by 100 yards with 1,283 total yards. He was second in the area in receptions with an insane 109. He was also second in the area in touchdown catches with 15. Only five area receivers reached double digits in touchdown receptions.

Offensive Stats: 109 receptions, 1,283 yards, 15 touchdowns
Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State WR, Unanimous Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region WR, Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference WR

Jericho Farris, Cassville Senior

Jericho Farris was instrumental in Cassville’s success this year after the Wildcats graduated a strong senior class this past spring, and then lost Zach Coenen to injury for the early part of the season. Farris was there to steady the Wildcats on both sides of the ball. Farris was a workhorse running back with 244 carries for 1,757 yards and 24 touchdowns. His 1,757 yards were No. 5 in the area with the 244 carries sitting second in the area. He was also a strong defensive back earning first-team all-region and all-conference honors at the position.

Offensive Stats: 244 carries, 1,757 yards, 24 TD
Honors: Class 3 First-Team All-State RB, Unanimous Class 3 First-Team All-Region RB, Class 3 First-Team All-Region DB, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West RB & DB

Connor Lair, West Plains Junior

Connor Lair earned his post-season honors on the defensive side of the ball, but if you watch his tape above, he could’ve earned those same honors on the offensive side of the ball with more opportunities. Defensively, there wasn’t anything Lair didn’t have a hand in. Tackles? 126 of those. Disrupting the offense in the backfield? 11.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. Game changing plays? Four interceptions, three defensive touchdowns. Special teams? Two punt blocks. Lair is going to contend for player of the year honors on this list next year.

Offensive Stats: 52 carries, 652 yards, 7 TD, 17 rec, 328 yards, 4 TD
Defensive Stats: 34 solo tackles, 126 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 3 defensive touchdowns, 2 punt blocks
Honors: First-Team All-State LB, Class 4 Region Defensive PLAYER OF YEAR, Class 4 Region First-Team TE & LB, Ozark Conference Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Ozark Conference TE & LB

Aiden Logan, Carthage Senior

Aiden Logan loves to put defensive players on the ground. Want proof? Watch the tape. Logan is a 6’7, 305-pound force of nature as an offensive lineman. He had committed to play at Arkansas State, but opened up his recruitment on Dec. 14. He has been offered by 18 Division I programs. He will be a steal for whichever college program he lands with.

Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State OL, Unanimous Class5-6 First-Team All-Region OL, Unanimous First-Team All-COC OL

Cooper Roy, Glendale Junior

No single defensive player created more negative plays for opposing offenses than Cooper Roy. Roy, a first-team all-state selection on the defensive line, tallied 98 total tackles this season with 31 of them turning into tackles for a loss. He was un-blockable with a state-record 26 sacks. The offers have started to come in for the 6’3, 220-pound junior with both the University of Kansas and Missouri State extending offers.

Defensive Stats: 79 solo tackles, 98 total tackles, 26 sacks (state record)
Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State DL, Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region DE, First-Team All-Ozark Conference DE

Titus Seley, West Plains Senior

Last year, Titus Seley was an all-state linebacker. This year, Seley was named to the first-team all-state team as a running back. There might not have been a more impactful all-around player in the Ozarks than Seley. He led the area in carries (245) and rushing yards (1,964) while rushing for 25 touchdowns. Seley also caught 18 balls for 412 yards and three touchdowns to get to almost 2,400 yards from scrimmage. That impact alone would’ve been enough to make this team. Defensively, Seley added in 119 total tackles including 9.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks. There were six total unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference selections; Seley accounted for two of those selections.

Offensive Stats: 245 carries, 1,964 yards, 25 TD, 18 receptions, 412 yards, 3 TD
Defensive Stats: 24 solo tackles, 119 total tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3 sacks
Honors: Class 4 First-Team All-State RB, Class 4 Region Offensive Player of the Year, Class 4 First-Team All-Region RB & LB, Ozark Conference Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference RB & LB

Steven Ward II, Nixa Senior

There are few area players that had a bigger rise from last season to this season than Steven Ward. Ward was the leader of a Nixa defense that helped the Eagles to their most wins since finishing as the Class 5 state runner-up in 2015. He had a hand in seemingly every defensive play for with 143 total tackles. He was disruptive in the backfield accounting for 11 tackles for a loss and six sacks. He will be continuing his career at Missouri State.

Defensive Stats: 102 solo tackles, 143 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumbles, 3 pass break-ups, 1 return TD
Offensive Stats: 6 receptions, 72 yards, 2 TD
Honors: Class 6 First-Team All-State LB, Unanimous Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region LB, Unanimous First-Team All-COC LB

Second 11

Zach Coenen, Cassville Senior

Offensive Stats: 101 carries, 909 yards, 12 TD
Defensive Stats: 56 solo tackles, 95 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss
Honors: Class 3 First-Team All-State LB, Class 3 Region Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous Class 3 First-Team All-Region LB, Class 3 First-Team All-Region RB, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West LB, Second-Team All-Big 8 West RB

Alex Curry, Joplin Senior

Honors: Class 6 First-Team All-State OL, Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region OL, Unanimous First-Team All-COC OL

Nathan Glades, Joplin Senior

Offensive Stats: 224 carries, 1,458 yards, 24 TD, 29 rec, 326 yards, 1 TD
Returning Stats: 5 kickoff returns, 46 yard average, 2 TD, 2 punt returns, 44 yard average, 1 TD, 7 total kick returns with 3 TD
Honors: Class 6 First-Team All-State Returner, Class 6 Second-Team All-State RB, Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region RB & Returner, Unanimous First-Team All-COC RB & Returner

Grant Goltra, Webb City Senior

Honors: Class 5 First-Team All-State OL, Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region OL, Unanimous First-Team All-COC OL

Jayce Haven, Thayer Senior

Offensive Stats: 96 carries for 820 yards, 17 TD, 710 yards passing 8 TD
Defensive Stats: 32 total tackles, 3 INT, 4 PBU, 2 TFL, 1 FR
Honors: Class 1 First-Team All-State Athlete, Class 1 Second-Team All-Region QB & DB, First-Team All-SCA QB

Jaylon James, West Plains Junior

Honors: First-Team All-State OL, Class 4 First-Team All-Region OL, First-Team All-Ozark Conference OL

Daylon Kanengieter, Marshfield Senior

Offensive Stats: 225 carries, 1,962 yards, 23 TD
Defensive Stats: 58 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 defensive TD
Honors: Class 4 Second-Team All-State RB, Class 4 First-Team Region RB, Big 8 East Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team Big 8 East RB

Jack Roweton, Bolivar Senior

Honors: Class 4 First-Team All-State OL, Class 4 First-Team All-Region OL, Unanimous First-Team All-Ozark Conference OL

Jamen Smith, Buffalo Senior

Offensive Stats: 1,566 yards passing, 27 TD, 137 carries, 1,255 yards, 22 TD, 3 return TD, 52 total TD
Defensive Stats: 45 solo tackles, 79 total tackles, 3 interceptions
Honors: Class 3 Second-Team All-State QB, Class 3 Region Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous Class 3 First-Team All-Region QB, Class 3 First-Team All-Region Returner, Class 3 Second-Team All-Region DB, Ozark Highlands Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-OHC QB & Returner

Austin Wilkerson, Lamar Sophomore

Offensive Stats: 57 carries, 405 yards, 10 TD, 11 rec, 159 yards, 4 TD
Defensive Stats: 108 total tackles, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, 7 interceptions
Honors: Class 2 First-Team All-State DB, Class 2 First-Team All-Region DB, Class 2 Second-Team All-Region Running Back, Kicker & Punter, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 East DB, Second-Team All-Big 8 West Kicker, Honorable Mention All-Big 8 West RB

Rylan Wooldridge, Lamar Senior

Stats: 71 total tackles, 3 sacks, 20 tackles for a loss, 2 Blocked Kicks
Honors: Class 2 Defensive Player of the Year, Class 2 First-Team All-State DL, Unanimous First-Team All-Region DL, First-Team All-Big 8 DL

Third 11

Alex Baker, Carl Junction Senior

Offensive Stats: 203 completions, 2,922 passing yards for 29 TD; led the area in passing yards
Honors: Class 4 Region First-Team QB, Second-Team All-COC QB

Lawson Beem, Skyline Junior

Offensive Stats: 2,717 yards passing, 31 TD, 36 carries, 319 yards, 6 TD
Honors: Class 1 Second-Team All-State QB, Class 1 Region Offensive Player of the Year, Class 1 First-Team All-Region QB, Mid-Lakes Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Unanimous First-Team All-Mid-Lakes Conference QB

Zeb Cornman, Liberty Senior

Defensive Stats: 55 solo tackles, 110 total tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 5 interceptions, 1 pass break-up
Offensive Stats: 10 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TD, 39 carries, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 kickoff returns for TD
Honors: Class 2 Second-Team All-State LB, Class 2 Region Defensive POY, Class 2 First-Team All-Region LB, Class 2 Second-Team Region TE, First-Team All-SCA LB

Darrin Fugitt, Bolivar Senior

Offensive Stats: 236 carries, 1,755 yards, 16 TD
Defensive Stats: 48 total tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 2 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
Honors: Class 4 First-Team All-State RB, Class 4 First-Team Region RB, First-Team All-Ozark Conference RB, Honorable Mention All-Ozark Conference LB

Luke Gall, Carthage Sophomore

Offensive Stats: 160 carries, 1,051 yards, 15 TD, 8 receptions, 111 yards, 1 TD
Defensive Stats: 76 tackles, 11 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 3 pass break-ups
Honors: Class 5 Second-Team All-State LB, Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region LB, Class 5-6 Second-Team All-Region RB, First-Team All-COC RB & LB

John Gholson, Nixa Junior

Stats: 80 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble
Honors: Class 6 First-Team All-State DL, Class 5-6 First-Team All-Region DL, First-Team All-COC DL

Dagen Kenslow, West Plains Junior

Offensive Stats: 1,423 passing yards, 14 TD, 162 carries, 1,053 yards, 14 TD
Defensive Stats: 24 solo tackles, 67 total tackles, 4 INT
Honors: Class 4 First-Team All-State Athlete, Class 4 First-Team Region QB & DB, Class 4 Second-Team All-Region Punter, First-Team All-Ozark Conference QB, Second-Team All-Ozark Conference DB & Punter

JJ O’Neal, Rogersville Junior

Offensive Stats: 1,358 yards passing, 11 TD, 137 carries, 1,144 yards rushing 11 TD
Defensive Stats: 40 total tackles, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 1 defensive TD
Kick Return Stats: 9 returns, 27-yard average, 3 TD
Honors: Class 4 Third-Team All-State Returner, Class 4 First-Team All-Region Returner, Class 4 Second-Team All-Region QB, First-Team All-Big 8 East QB & Returner

Jaiden Reibert, Cassville Senior

Honors: Class 3 First-Team All-State OL, Unanimous Class 3 First-Team All-Region OL & DL, Unanimous First-Team All-Big 8 West OL, First-Team All-Big 8 West DL

Dakota Wilson, Marionville Junior

Offensive Stats: 236 carries, 1,779 yards, 33 TD
Defensive Stats: 73 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 interception
Honors: Class 1 Third-Team All-State RB, Class 1 First-Team All-Region RB, Southwest Conference Co-Offensive POY