By Pat Dailey (For OzarkSportsZone.com)
Reeds Spring returns plenty of familiar faces at its skill positions offensively, but not to be overlooked is the Wolves breaking in an entirely new starting offensive line.
Coach Travis Cagle has been encouraged to see center Tyson Phelps, guards Jayden Stevens and Mitchell Swestka and tackles Wyatt Butler, Gabe Miller, and Brandon Wattenbarger working toward making themselves a formidable unit.
“The ‘Wrecking Crew’ is getting one percent better every practice,” Cagle said.
‘The Wrecking Crew’ will try to help Reeds Spring reach the Wolves’ offensive numbers of last season that included 1,991 yards rushing, 780 yards passing and 21 points per game.
Keagon Fish is back at running back after carrying the ball 166 times for 955 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“Keagon is geared up to have a big season on both sides of the ball,” Cagle said.
Wide receiver Braden Langston could be poised for a breakout season, after catching two passes for 13 yards last season.
“I’m really excited to have both Fish and Langston back,” Cagle said. “We are switching their roles around a little bit to maximize their talents. They both have played a lot of football games, are physical and they know the defense really well.”
Another key returnee is quarterback Tyson Porter, who completed 66-of-145 passes for 731 yards and five touchdowns.
“His leadership and poise make him an absolute asset to the team on both sides of the ball,” Cagle said.
Running back Blake Murphy is in comeback mode, after an injury plagued sophomore season last year.
After the Wolves ran the ball on 85 percent of their offensive snaps last season, Cagle is hoping they can go to the air more often.
“I’m stressing that offensively we need to be more diverse and present more problems to opposing defenses,” he said. “I think our offense is starting to believe and will be much better.”
Langston is Reeds Spring’s top returning tackler. A year ago, he collected 56 tackles, including four tackles for a loss and a pair of quarterback sacks. Fish had five TFLs and three sacks among his 26 tackles.
“I think our defense sets the tone for our team,” Cagle said.
Reeds Spring is counting on safety Sam Carpenter to lead the defensive huddle. He was in on 48 tackles a year ago.
“I believe Sam returning at free safety is huge for our defense,” Cagle said. “He is an awesome leader that is always in the right spot to make plays.”
Watch out for sophomore Braydyn Fuller at inside linebacker.
“He has a high motor and work ethic to match,” Cagle said.
Stevens, Swestka and Phelps will double up as linemen and start defensively, as well.
Other newcomers who have impressed Cagle and Noah Lach and Kaden Evans.
“(They) have had a good summer for us on both sides of the ball,” Cagle said. “They both have high ceilings to what kind of football players they can become.”
Last season’s 4-6 campaign saw Cagle make the transition from defensive coordinator to head coach.
“The season was an awesome learning experience,” he said. “We had a great group of kids that worked hard and made the transition pretty seamless.”
Likewise, Cagle enjoyed Reeds Spring’s foray in the Mid-Lakes Conference. The Wolves won their first two conference games, before dropping four of their next five. Reeds Spring bowed to Aurora in the first round of the post-season.
“I thought our conference was really good from top to bottom,” Cagle said. “Every week you have to bring your ‘A game’ and be ready to grind. I absolutely love the proximity of all the schools and makes travel so much easier.”
Cagle is optimistic the Wolves can have a better showing in the Mid-Lakes their second time around.
“We’re going to play our style of ball and continue to get better,” he said. “I expect us to compete in each and every game this year.”
