By Chris Parker
Pierce City’s first season under Jim Genzler was a success with the Eagles going 7-4 falling to Marionville in the district playoffs. The seven wins were the most for the program since winning eight in 2020.
Entering 2025, the players and Genzler are ready for a big season with more familiarity with each other.
“The kids now know what to expect like how we lift, how we practice and our schemes offensively, defensively and special teams,” Genzler said. “The kids are used to us, and we know the kids. It is a good match. We get to know them, and they get to know us. Everything just works more smoothly. Our attendance has been up this summer. It’s going really well.”
Genzler expects a slightly different look on offense this season with four starters returning.
“I think offensively we will be a little bit different than last year,” Genzler said. “We will always brand ourselves on being physical. Last year, that was our identity on offense. We are big up front and have a good running back. This year I think we are going have a bunch of kids we can get the ball to and spread things out and play a little faster. I think our identity is still going to be physical, but we are going to be fast.”
Eli Genzler returns after splitting time at quarterback last season. He threw for 211 yards and four touchdowns.
“He (Eli Genzler) got better as the year went on,” Coach Genzler said. “With as many seniors as we had graduate last year, he is really stepping up on the leadership part. He is taking command of the huddle and group. (He is) being that leader and calming force he needs to be for the guys.”
Kordel McBlair returns to the offensive line.
“The kids look at him as the (leader). They look at him, listen to him and follow him,” Coach Genzler said. “He is great leader, and the kids all respect him. Having him back is huge for us with us having to fill some spots up front.”
Crae Salsman returns to the offensive line after seeing rotational time there last season. Ethan Dewitt, Caiden Hayworth and Hunter Mize will also be on the offensive line.
Cruz Ibarra is back as a starter but in a new position. He was an offensive lineman last season but will be in the backfield carrying the ball this season.
“(Ibarra) could be a really good football player for us on both sides,” Genzler said. “He has trimmed quite a bit and added some strength. We are going to use him in a lot of different ways.”
Landen Stanphill will be a two-way force at wide receiver and defensive back.
“He is our fastest kid,” Genzler said. “I think he is going to have a big year for us. He was an all-conference defensive back last year, but I think offensively he is going to play a big part for us.”
Dyllan Kleiboeker made his name on defense last season leading the team in tackles. He will be a two-way force adding rushing duties on offense this season. He will also take snaps at quarterback.
“Dyllan is a special talent,” Genzler said. “He is a really good athlete who we expect a lot of things from.”
Luke Eaton will be at wide receiver and tight end. Landon Iman, Max Brown, Landon Day and Brock Flehmer are all in the mix at wide receiver.
Defensively, Kleiboeker sets the pace after he tallied 41 total tackles last season despite not starting the first three games.
“Dyllan plays extremely hard,” Genzler said. “He plays with a great motor. He is a kid that understands football as well. He is fearless too.”
Ibarra is moving back from the defensive line to linebacker after earning all-conference honors on the line last season. He had seven tackles for a loss and four sacks to lead the team.
Walker Earl will also play linebacker.
McBlair, Chersoua Yang and Salsman will be key defensive linemen.
Look for Eli Genzler, Stanphill, Iman, Flehmer and Brown in the secondary. Stanphill will come down and play linebacker as well.
“We are going to bringing pressure and put as much pressure on the offense as we can,” Genzler said.
Pierce City travels to Marshfield on Aug. 22 for a jamboree with the host Blue Jays, Glendale and Fair Grove. The Eagles open the regular season on Aug. 29 at Houston.
“I am excited to see what we can do this year because I think the kids have bought into what we are doing,” Genzler said. “We are in Year Two of our stuff, so practices at this time compared to last year are so much faster. Kids understand what we are trying to do. They understand the why of why we are trying to do stuff.”
