By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Forsyth may not be finished finding spots for TaMarkus Holmes to flourish in its offense.
Holmes progressed from an established wide receiver to a premier running back a year ago, while rushing 170 times for 1,339 yards and 19 touchdowns. He earned a Class 3 All-State Third-Team selection and All-Mid Lakes Conference First-Team recognition on both sides of the ball. Now, coach Kris Conley is hinting strongly Holmes will be featured even more prominently during his senior season.
“(We’re) looking to introduce new ways to get TaMarkus the ball,” Conley said. “(We’re) evolving our system to fit him and our quarterbacks. He is a real-deal special player, and we are excited to have him.”
Holmes, a 6-foot-0, 185-pounder, is just as important a piece of Forsyth’s defense. He’s been at cornerback the past two seasons and had four interceptions as a sophomore. Again, Conley hinted Holmes will be moved around on defense week to week, as well.
“TaMarkus has the skills to play anywhere on the field,” Conley said. “He fills needs as we prepare for opponents.”
Forsyth has boasted one of southwest Missouri’s top consistently good offenses the past five years. The Panthers put up an average of 31.1 points a game last year. That upped their streak of averaging 30 points a game to five seasons.
Conley is anxious to see if this year’s offense can keep up the same pace.
“Really depends on how our kids prepare and execute,” he said. “You never know year by year or game by game.”
In addition to Holmes, the Panthers’ offense will be led by quarterback Chris Halbrook, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound senior.
“(He) continues to impress with a gifted arm talent,” Conley said. “He developed in the weight room this off-season.”
It will be interesting to see the kind of impact KK Conway makes in his first go-around at Forsyth. He’s a transfer from Hollister.
Conway broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown run against Forsyth last season in the programs’ inaugural Mid-Lakes Conference contest.
“(He) is very athletic and a good addition to the team,” Conley said.
Forsyth features a three-year starting wide receiver in senior Maverick Blevins.
“(He is) a big-play threat,” Conley said.
Forsyth’s defense will also look to continue a trend by showing improvement. The Panthers allowed an average of 25.6 points last season, down from 26.1 in 2023 and 38.9 in 2022.
“Defense keeps improving from year to year. I am honored to coach with (defensive coordinator) Jared Bailey,” Conley said. (We’re) trying to get new starters experience to play well.”
Conley notes Forsyth will welcome aboard freshmen who have already flashed very good potential.
“Really talented freshmen class. We are excited about them,” he said.
After the addition of Hollister, Reeds Spring and Buffalo to the Mid-Lakes a year ago, Forsyth was 4-3 in conference play. The Panthers lost 27-26 to Clever and held a 33-28 lead on Strafford, before falling 49-33.
“I liked the addition of the new conference teams, providing strength and stability,” Conley said.
Forsyth has had a winning record each year since Conley’s arrival in 2020. The Panthers have won at least six games five straight seasons, after being 6-24 as a starter program.
Conley is curious to see how his players respond to last year’s 64-7 loss in the Class 3 District 4 championship game to eventual state runner-up Seneca.
“I think we can have a good year. It depends on how our kids bounce back,” Conley said.
