The football season has arrived and the Harrisonville Wildcats will get their first taste of action tomorrow at Smithville. Gametime is 7 p.m.
The Wildcats are coming off a 6-4 campaign and have several returners on both sides of the ball, but Coach Brent Maxwell points out the key to the season will likely be how healthy they can stay.
“We have some good players at the skill positions and we have some experience on the line, but we don’t have much depth on the line, so the key will be staying healthy,” Maxwell said.
The offensive line features two returning starters, seniors Caden Banks at tackle and Trenton Heider, who is moving from the center to left tackle.
Joining them on the line will be junior Elliot Stone, a center with limited varsity experience, along with guards Mason Ryberg, a junior and Adam Danforh, a sophomore. Maxwell noted Danforth because of his size and work ethic in the off season. He summed up Ryberg as undersized but highly physical.
“We may have some younger guys step up, but right now we are only probably five or six deep on the line and I will feel more comfortable if we can get that to seven or eight,” Maxwell said.
A majority of the quarterbacking chores will likely go to junior Stryker Gilmore, who will move from the wide receiver spot. Senior Brodie McNeal who is competing for the quarterbacking job will likely spend most of his time at wide receiver and Gilmore’s primary target.
In the backfield, senior Isaac Moore will serve as the primary running back and will be supported by slotback Eli Torrez, a junior. Returners on defense include Heider and Banks on the line, Braydon Kanenbley and David Melzer at linebackers and Christian Crook at safety.
Maxwell got his first look of his team in action last week in a jamboree at Sedalia Smith-Cotton. Also there was Osage.
“It is kind of like an exhibition game in pro football, you look at your one’s for a few plays and then you use your other plays to evaluate your depth. I think we did some things well, but the defense struggled initially with the pace of the opposing starters, but improved as the game progressed.
“We had some communication breakdowns and poor tackling, but those are things you hope you can get corrected before the season starts,” Maxwell said.
To open the season, the Cats will face a Smithville team that was 8-3 last year and Maxwell said he expects them to be a challenge.
“They will be a challenge because of their speed and they play physical, downhill football,” he said.
The Cats will then be home for games against Bolivar, Odessa and Center. One game Maxwell said he was especially looking forward to was Oct. 2 when Louisburg, Kansas will cross the state line for a game.
“I don’t know the last time the two teams played, but I’ve always wanted to schedule games with them and it worked out for the next two years. It will be our own little “Border War,” both teams are the Wildcats, I just think it will be fun,” Maxwell said.
When it comes to the MRVC West Conference, Maxwell said it could be a balanced league.
The coach anticipates a highly competitive conference season, identifying Odessa as the favorite until unseated.
“Odessa is obviously the favorite until they are unseated,” Maxwell said. “I expect Warrensburg and Oak Grove to be significantly improved, Center has had a massive surge in participation, they’ve had 75 kids come out for the new coach, and then Pleasant Hill is Pleasant Hill.”
