By Chris Parker
Greenfield football has a new head coach in Joey Ross this season. Ross had previous coaching stops at Liberal, Diamond and Cherokee (Kan.).
“Greenfield has a great group of kids with some real athleticism,” Ross said. “I see great opportunities for us to win now and also have success in the future.”
The success of the season will be directly related to the health of the roster.
“Health will be key for us,” Ross said. “If we can stay healthy, we will be a formidable opponent for every team we face.”
Five starters return on each side of the ball.
Austin Pickett will be the main quarterback with Nicholas Gossett and Hudson McGuire backing him up. Pickett was a dual threat quarterback last season with 1,058 yards passing and 12 touchdowns and 182 carries for 944 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Jaxin Knots, Andrew Mays, Ryan Hansen and Rossetti will be wide receivers and tight ends. Devin Steeley and Hudson McGuire will see carries out of the backfield.
The offensive line will be led by Zach Boyd, River Stephens and Matt Jones while underclassmen Brian Core and Layton develop.
Boyd, Steeley, Jones and Stevens will be on the defensive line. Steeley, Knotts, Pickett and Gossett will all spend time at linebacker. McGuire, Gossett and Mays will be in the secondary.
Pickett led all defensive players for Greenfield with 70 total tackles last season. Boyd added in 67 tackles with Mays at 65 tackles.
Greenfield will host a jamboree on Aug. 23 with Liberal, Jasper and Lockwood. The Wildcats open the regular season on Aug. 30 at Appleton City.
“(I want) for our kids to come together as a team, start a tradition of winning and tough football for future Wildcats to strive for, and most importantly, to produce good young men that will contribute to the betterment of society,” Ross said.
