2022 Fall Preview: Ava Football

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By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

For the first time in more than a decade, Ava will have someone not named Dan Swofford patrolling the sidelines. That role now goes to Casey Merrifield who is no stranger to Ava Football after spending more than a decade alongside Swofford.

So while typically a new coach taking over with just a handful of starters sounds like a total rebuild, that won’t be the case for the Bears.

“I think I am blessed to take over a program that I have been part of for 11 years,” said Merrifield. “I was very fortunate to be able to learn from Dan throughout my career. The first thing I have tried to establish in the program is giving back to the community. The team is blessed with great community support and we are trying to pay it back every chance we get.”

Schematically, you can expect the same brand of football from Ava. Offensively they’ll be physical and establish the run, while defensively they’ll be even more physical and sell out to stop the run.

The pillars of the program will remain the same.

“I don’t think anyone will be surprised by what we do offensively,” said Merrifield. “We will continue to run the flex bone and try to control the ball. We believe that four yards a pop is a winning formula.

“Defensively we do not expect to be very different from the past. Coach Baird is the new defensive coordinator and has been on staff for 10 years. He knows our scheme inside and out and will look to build on what we have done in the past.”

There are some familiar names that will see larger roles in 2022.

Sophomore Hunter Adams proved he’s the future of the SCA after rushing for more than 1,000 yards and earning All-SCA and All-District honors. Senior Grady Goss will also see carries out of the backfield.

Adams will also see time at linebacker, while Goss was an All-SCA defensive back.

Senior Ashton Stout will start at quarterback this fall after playing receiver last season.

Senior Kegan Evans (6-2, 230) – also an All-SCA pick – will lead Ava on both sides of the line. Classmates Luke Little (6-2, 225), Carter Mahan, Erick Haro (5-9, 280) and Braydon Loertcher, as well as juniors Junior Cazares (5-11, 280), Kaden Davis and Brandt Snelson will be in the mix as well.

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Mahan – who had 115 tackles last year – will also look to lead the defense from his linebacker spot. He was an All-SCA selection.

Tyson Tidwell will see time at defensive end.

Juniors Rylin Dickson and Brayden Thorburn, as well as sophomores Thomas Merritt and Andy Albritton will compete for carries and defensive back reps.

Merrifield is also excited about the play of seniors Hunter Hall and Wyatt Johnson. Both could see roles in the backfield and defensively.

Ava has won district championships in four of the last five seasons, posting a 53-10 record over the span.

The head coach may be different, but the goals remain the same for the Bears; compete for SCA and district titles every year.

“The amount of new coaches will make for a very interesting year in the SCA,” said Merrifield. “I expect it to be as physical of a conference as there is around southern Missouri.

“For Ava to compete for the conference and district championships this year we will need great senior leadership. We lost a lot of great football players last year but we do return plenty of talent. Senior leadership will determine where our season goes.”

Ava will jamboree with Hollister, Springfield Catholic and Clever before visiting Buffalo on Aug. 26

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