2021 Fall Preview: Nixa Football

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

John Perry’s first season at Nixa established that the Eagles are back.

A 9-3 season saw Nixa compete for both a conference and a district championship. The Eagles’ lone conference blemishes came to Class 5 powers Webb City and Carthage, both of which were on the road. Class 6 state champion Raymore-Peculiar ended Nixa’s season in the district championship.

The 18-15 decision was the toughest game Ray-Pec had in the postseason.

“Year One was awesome for us at Nixa,” said Perry. “I think my biggest takeaway was that we have a great place; great young men, great parents and we can do big things here in the future.”

The future may be sooner rather than later.

Nixa returns 10 starters, including three of the COC’s top talents in seniors John Gholson and Jaden Aven, as well as junior Ramone Green.

Gholson (6-0, 250lbs) is an All-COC, All-Area and All-State defensive end. Aven (5-11, 220lbs) was an All-COC linebacker.

“Gholson is one of the best defensive linemen in Missouri,” said Perry. “He’s a three-sport star. Jaden will be the bell cow of our defense. They’re both hard workers and big-time players.”

Green rushed for 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns on 240 carries.

“Ramone is not only God blessed with talent, he is an awesome young man with a great work ethic and internal drive to be great,” said Perry. “He’s a special young man.”

Senior Sam Brower (6-1, 350lbs) was an All-Area offensive tackle last season. Classmate Thomas Schulte (6-2, 270lbs) and junior center Garret Davidson (5-10, 240lbs) also return to form one of the area’s top offensive line groups.

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Juniors Austin McCraken (quarterback) Avry Rutherford (h-back) return with a full season of starting experience.

Junior Landon Carson (6-0, 300lbs) will return to the defensive line and senior Michael Turner (5-11, 220lbs will again join Aven in the linebacking corps.

Junior Kaleb James will retain kicking duties.

Perry is also extremely excited about some newcomers to the program.

Cassin Hammitt and Cody Breeden will see time at running back and in the secondary respectively.

Basketball standouts Kael Combs (6-4, 185lbs) and Jordyn Turner (6-3, 160lbs) will join Nixa on the gridiron, playing wide receiver. Senior Keith Piepmeier – a basketball and baseball standout – will see reps in the secondary.

A trio of sophomores – Spencer Ward, Jayden Antonelli and Rylan Michel – are also expected to compete for varsity reps.

Nixa will now try to back up its first winning season since 2016 with the program’s first district championship since 2015. But before that can happen the Eagles must navigate another COC gauntlet.

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“The COC is great,” said Perry. “Great conference with great coaches and it gives you playoff type games during the season. That experience is priceless when it comes to playoffs.

“We just need to focus on playing great football – mistake free – get lucky every once in a while and score more points than the opponent.”

Nixa and Kickapoo will jamboree at Ozark on Aug. 20 before the Eagles open the 2021 regular season by hosting Branson on Aug. 27. Nixa will host Ozark on Oct. 1 and Webb City on Oct. 8.

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