By Chris Parker
Fair Grove football came up just short of the program’s first state title falling 28-25 to Lamar in the Class 2 state championship game.
That game marked the close of a historic season and decorated careers for many seniors. The Class of 2025 went 26-2 in their junior and senior seasons.
“We had never had that level of success in every sport. It was really special to see,” Fair Grove head coach Bill Voorhis said. “(The Class of 2025) left a huge hole as far as production goes, but I think they did a really good job of leading by example and not leaving such a big hole in leadership when they left. They taught the other guys and people below them how to work and what it takes to be successful.”
Five all-state players graduated. Four of those players earned their all-state honors on the offensive side of the ball.
Gavin Thomason will slide over from wide receiver to quarterback this year replacing first-team all-state quarterback Spensar Seiger.
“(Thomason) is a special baseball player, but he is also one of the best athletes in the area,” Voorhis said. “He brings quite a bit of leadership. He has started both sides of the football since he was a freshman. He has gained some size. He brings consistency and leadership. He has one of the strongest arms in the area and can throw the deep ball really well. He is a physical runner.”
Speaking of physical running, Wyatt Hallam will see a larger share of carries this season.
“I think Wyatt is a really special athlete who can do a lot of really good things with the football,” Voorhis said. “I think he will be able to show everybody just how good he can be this year.”
Hallam rushed for 432 yards last season.
“It (Hallam’s running style) is aggressive. He looks like he is looking for contact when he runs the football,” Voorhis said. “He has good enough speed to score when he breaks through. He is a physical runner. He doesn’t shy away from contact.”
Harrison Martin will slide into the role previously manned by first-team all-state running back and returner Kellen Lair. Martin will factor into both the running and passing games.
“That spot for us requires a player who can both run the football between the tackles and catch the football out of the backfield, and that is a good description of Harrison,” Voorhis said. “He has really good ball skills, and we will be able to throw him the football when we need to. He is also big enough to run the football between the tackles. We are expecting an exciting season out of Harrison.”
Kolton Klindworth will find time at both receiver and tight end.
The offensive line will feature a combination of Luke Trehal, Eron Daugherty, Gage Green. Cayden Hartnett, Nolan Dorsey and Talon Skouby.
Dylan George will be a full-time fullback for the Eagles.
“He is going to fit nicely into a bruiser, lead blocker role for us,” Voorhis said. “He is probably the strongest kid, pound-for-pound, in our school.”
That fullback position is a new one for the offense as Voorhis adjusts the style of play on that side of the ball this season.
“We will still have aspects of what we have been doing,” Voorhis said. “We are still going to be in the shotgun, but we are going to be more of a three back, one tight end set with more of a power running game. With the guys we have coming back up front and the guys we have running the football I think it fits our talent quite a bit more.”
On defense, Daugherty returns up front on the defensive line where he was third-team all-state as a sophomore.
“He (Daugherty) is an athlete, he is not just a big kid,” Voorhis said. “He has got really good feet and good hands. He would be a really good basketball player if that is what he wanted to do. He understands the game. He has had two older brothers come through our program. His football IQ is really high. He is physical. He doesn’t shy away from contact. He has good speed and will run things down from the backside. Those are the things that have made him tough to block.”
Klindworth will be at defensive end. He was a linebacker during the summer in 2024, but switched to defensive end once the season got underway. He earned second-team all-conference honors at defensive end.
“He (Klindworth) has a crazy motor and is super physical,” Voorhis said. “He is one of those first off the bus kind of guys. You want him showing up on the field first.”
Talon Skouby will also be on the defensive line.
Gage Bailey will be a key linebacker.
“He (Bailey) runs to the football well and doesn’t miss tackles when he gets there,” Voohris said. “He gets the job done because he is smart and because he takes good angles. He is our defensive leader.”
Hallam also returns to his linebacker position after starting every playoff game in 2024.
Jackson Austin will be a factor at linebacker as well.
“He (Austin) is a fearless kid,” Voorhis said. “He is not the biggest kid on our football team, but I do think he is the most fearless. There is not anybody he wouldn’t stand up to.”
Carson Trussell is a leader in not only the secondary but for the entire team.
“He (Trussell) is probably the emotional leader of our football team,” Voorhis said. “He tries to keep practice up-tempo.”
Thomason will play at safety, but Voorhis hopes to limit his defensive snaps since he is moving to quarterback this season.
Jakoeby McDannald is coming out for football for the first time in his high school career this season.
“He (McDannald) is one of the best athletes in our building,” Voorhis said. “I am excited for him to come out and play football.”
Adrick Wilson brings speed to his safety position.
Fair Grove will jamboree with Marshfield, Glendale and Pierce City on Aug. 23. The Eagles open the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against Mountain Grove.
“I want them (the players) to be focused on keeping the standard really high. I think for us as coaches, especially when we are talking about a bunch of new faces starting and kind of a new offense, we want to find a way to be competitive in every game and make sure we aren’t taking any steps backwards,” Voorhis said. “I think success looks like getting better each week and peaking at the end of the year.”
he season going and see what this team is able to accomplish.
