By Chris Parker
Strafford football will have a new look this season with just one starter returning from last season’s team that finished 9-2 overall.
The offense lost all 11 starters.
“We’re essentially replacing all 11 positions this season,” Strafford head coach Tim Hester said. “That means a lot of our younger players—mainly last year’s JV—will have to step up and fill the shoes of the seniors we lost. While we’re coming into the season with limited varsity experience, one of our biggest offensive strengths is unity. These kids trust each other and are committed to getting better every single week. We may not have the flash early on, but we pride ourselves on growth, toughness, and being a team that improves as the season goes on.”
Defensively it is much the same story with new players at 10 of 11 positions.
“Defensively, we’re made up of a lot of young athletes who are ready to step up to the challenge,” Hester said. “We’re replacing 10 of our 11 starters from last season, so there’s definitely inexperience, but our strengths lie in our effort to pursue the football relentlessly and our commitment to playing as a unified group. These kids are hungry, coachable, and determined to grow each week.”
Jake Berg (junior TE/LB), Tillman Heil (senior RB/CB), Landen Rhodes (senior QB/LB), Cristian Mondragon (senior OL/DL), Zeb Bergman (senior TE/LB), Alex Edwards (senior WR/FS), JD Adams (RB/LB), Garrett Rogers (junior TE/DE), Cotter Keith (sophomore RB/LB) and James Maughan (sophomore FB/LB) all had varsity roles last season.
“The players mentioned previously held part-time varsity roles last season and have demonstrated steady progression throughout the summer months,” Hester said.
Parker Ross (sophomore WR/DB), Brock Williams (RB/DE), Kayden Rodriguez (sophomore OL/LB), Jordan Harden (sophomore WR/LB), Lucas Gilmore (junior WR/DB), Gauge Thompson (junior QB/LB), Tyler Van Winkle (senior WR/CB), Kaiden Campbell (senior TE/DE), Brennan Gagnon (senior OL/DL), Cooper Matney (senior OL/DL), Jacob Lanois (senior OL/DL) and Bryant Crocker (senior WR/DB) are newcomers to watch for Strafford.
“The players above were either part of our JV team last season or are new to the program, and now they’re stepping into important varsity roles,” Hester said. “Over the summer, they’ve made tremendous progress in their strength, speed, and overall development. While their varsity experience may be limited, they’ve embraced the challenge head-on. We believe in their ability to rise to the occasion, fill some big shoes, and make a real impact this season. Their growth and commitment have been nothing short of inspiring.”
Strafford opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Liberty.
“The philosophy behind Strafford Football is rooted in a vision: to provide direction, purpose, and a foundation for personal and athletic growth. By focusing on the development of character, commitment to excellence, and preparation for life beyond the game, we will build a program that creates leaders—both on the field and in the world,” Hester said. “As coaches, it’s our job to lead the way, to set the course, and to make sure that every player understands that while the game is important, the journey they take and the person they become is even more so. Together, we will work to ensure that Strafford Football remains a program that not only strives for victory but also builds the values and skills that lead to success in all aspects of life. As we head into the upcoming season, we know we’ll be tested right out of the gate with tough non-conference games against Liberty and Monett. These early matchups will challenge us to execute at a high level and prepare us for the grind of conference play. Once we hit our conference schedule, it doesn’t get any easier. We face solid programs week after week — including Springfield Catholic, Buffalo, Reed Springs, Hollister, Forsyth, Clever, and of course, our longtime rival Fair Grove. With a young team stepping into bigger roles, it’s tough to point to one specific key matchup, but every Friday night will be a battle. Our goal is to compete with energy and discipline every week, grow together as a unit, and rise to the challenge no matter who lines up across from us.”
