By Chris Parker
Greenfield football went 6-4 last season to post the program’s first winning record since going 7-4 in 2018.
The Wildcats will look build on the success with three starters back on each side of the ball.
Offensively, things will go as the running game does.
“We will build on our identity we established last year, which is downhill, smash-mouth football,” Greenfield head coach Joey Ross said. “We will be a run heavy team and look to dictate the flow of the game with our offense.”
Drake Morrison takes over as quarterback this season.
“Drake Morrison didn’t play last year. He will be our quarterback this year,” Ross said. “He has a huge arm, and while he’s not big in stature, he is fast, shifty, and can throw the ball very well. Very similar to Austin Pickett, which we were blessed with last year.”
He will be joined in the backfield by Hudson McGuire, Noah Logan, Anias Pedigo, Kooper Renkoski and Wyatt Mallory.
McGuire is the team’s leading returning rusher who had 97 carries for 512 yards and five touchdowns last season. No other returning player had more than 23 rushing yards.
“Hudson McGuire was all-conference on both sides of the ball. We expect him to be one of the better running backs and linebackers and safeties in the state,” Ross said. “He has gotten bigger, faster, and stronger over the last year and will be a big part of our offense.”
Ryan Hansen and Pedigo will see time at tight end.
Andrew Mays, Timmy Jordan and Kooper Renkoski will be at wide receiver. Mays led the team with 17 catches for 295 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
“Andrew Mays should be one of the better receivers in our conference,” Ross said. “(He) has great route running abilities, gets open easily, and has great hands.”
Brian Core, Layton Gillmore, Collin Ohnmacht, Donnie Pierce and Jack Jones will be on the offensive line.
Defensively, Greenfield will look to set the tone with its physicality.
“The identity of our defense will be very physical,” Ross said. “We intend to be the most physical team in any game we play in to force the opposing offense to make mistakes and create turnovers. A very physical, high-paced, violent defense.”
Core, Gilmore and Ohnmacht will be on the defensive line.
Logan, Pedigo, Hansen, Renkoski and McGuire will be at linebacker.
Mays, Morris and Jordan will be in the secondary.
Greenfield travels to Liberal for a jamboree on Aug. 22 with the host, Jasper and Greenfield. The Wildcats open the regular season on Aug. 29 at home against Appleton City.
The goal for Greenfield this season is a district title.
“For us to be a success, I feel we will need to win a district title,” Ross said. “We lost to Lockwood twice last year. The final being in the district title game. Last year was our first winning season in eight years. We are setting the bar very high, and that bar is beating Lockwood in the district championship.”
