By Chris Parker
Few programs in Missouri have matched the success of the Marionville Comets over the past five seasons. They have gone 60-4 with a state championship and three district titles.
Last season, Marionville lost by one to eventual Class 1 state champion Adrian in the district title game. The Comets were the only team to play Adrian within 21 points during their playoff run to the title.
Marionville must replace a talented senior class that included seven all-district selections.
What the Comets do have back are a pair of Class 1 First-Team All-State selections in Cash Pomeroy and Bryer Guerin. Pomeroy earned his all-state honors at running back and will play linebacker. Guerin earned his all-state honors at defensive back and will also return at quarterback.
They will make the offense go.
“We will lean on those two (Pomeroy and Guerin) throughout their senior year until we bring some other guys along. Both are very good football players who have worked hard to prepare to have big years,” Marionville head coach Paden Grubbs said.
Pomeroy rushed for 1,311 yards and 18 touchdowns on 165 carries last season. He also caught six passes for 123 yards and a touchdown.
“Cash is a really good teammate and special player,” Grubbs said. “He is one of the best seniors in the state of Missouri regardless of class. He has a unique blend of size, speed, and strength. He will be the leader of our team. He has put in the work to have a big year on both sides of the ball.”
Guerin threw for 1,480 yards and 16 touchdowns on 97-for-156 passing as a junior. On the ground, he carried the ball 120 times for 735 yards and 14 touchdowns.
“Bryer is another special player,” Grubbs said. “His football IQ is really high. He has worked hard to become a better athlete too. He allows you to do a lot of different things on both sides of the ball. We are really excited to watch Bryer lead this team this year.”
The offensive line returns a pair of all-conference players in senior Shane Davis and junior Isaac Russell.
“Shane is a team-first guy. He does everything you ask him to do with great effort. He has taken ownership of the offensive line and (we) expect a big year out of Shane,” Grubbs said. “(Russell is a) tough and strong young man. He brings attitude to our team and a toughness across both lines of scrimmage.”
Ryder White (senior), Payton Forester (junior), Joey Gossett (senior) and Jonaus Atwood (junior) will also be on the offensive line.
Grubbs on White: “A wildcard for us. He has a lot of tools, it’s going to be a matter of finding him a spot he’s comfortable with and can learn. The ability is there.”
Grubbs on Forester: “‘Pay-Pay’ started a few games for us across the O-line last year as a sophomore. Very valuable experience. He will start at right guard for us this year.”
Grubbs on Gossett: “Started a few games for us last year at right tackle. Another guy who we need to have a big year. All the ability is there, need him to flip a switch and play up to his ability.”
Grubbs on Atwood: “(He) will have the opportunity to help us in different spots.
Grubbs expects the offensive line unit to grow as the season progresses.
“I think our offensive line has potential to be good; it will just take some time to get them there,” Grubbs said. “They are showing up and putting in the work necessary to be good. They just need game experience on Friday nights.”
Marionville returns only one player in Pomeroy who caught a pass last season, so the Comets will work to develop new receiving options.
Brodie Wilson (junior) is a returning player who will be at wide receiver.
“Brodie has had a really good off-season,” Grubbs said. “Something has clicked for him, and we believe he is going to have a really good year on both sides of the ball.”
Mason Willis is a junior newcomer who could factor into the passing game.
Levi Eaton rounds out the skill positions expected to play H-back.
On the defensive side, speed will rule.
“The strength of our defense will be the kids’ ability to run and play fast,” Grubbs said. “We will be undersized in a lot of areas, but we will be aggressive and physical at the point of attack. We want our effort to take care of any of the weaknesses or lack of size.”
Much like the offense, Pomeroy and Guerin will key the defense. Pomeroy led the team in tackles with 83 last season. Guerin pulled down 77 total tackles with five total interceptions.
Jayson Bowers returns to the defensive line after a strong sophomore season that saw him pull down five sacks and 11.5 tackles for a loss earning honorable mention all-conference honors.
“(Bowers is) one of the more gifted linemen we have returning,” Grubbs said. “Bowers has the potential to be really good. As he continues to get experience, we except him to grow and get better.”
Garrisen Smith returns to the secondary where he was an all-region selection after he pulled down 74 total tackles.
“Garrisen brings physicalness to the team,” Grubbs said. “He is one of our better tacklers from the defensive secondary. With more experience will come better, consistent play.”
Shiloh Fletcher returns for his senior season in the secondary after an injury-plagued junior season.
“Shiloh is our speed guy,” Grubbs said. “He runs extremely well. (He) started last year until injuries plagued him halfway through the year. He’s worked hard to have a good senior year.”
Jackson Soutee (sophomore), Ty Trinary (sophomore) and Koltyn Messenger (senior) will be newcomers in the secondary.
White and Jeremy Siver (sophomore) return to join Pomeroy at linebacker along with newcomer Dillon Bussell (senior).
Braden Reaves (senior), Sam Wright (senior) and Atwood will all see time on the defensive line.
“(Reaves is) a senior who is in his second year of football. He has worked really hard to get some opportunities on both sides of ball,” Grubbs said. “(Wright is) a senior who will get opportunities across the defensive line. He started a few games last year across D-Line. (We) need him to be able to play more snaps for us this year and be an impactful player.”
Marionville opens the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against Stockton.
“We have a lot of kids who are excited for the opportunity to get their chance. We have graduated a lot over the last two years now. We will have a lot of new Friday Night faces out there. These kids have worked hard to get themselves physically ready for Fridays. They know what it’s going to take to continue to be competitive. I’m looking forward to seeing them compete,” Grubbs said. “This year is like putting together a puzzle. We have the outline put together, now it’s just about getting all the pieces to fit together inside by week 10. We want to be playing our best ball by week 10.”
