A year after certifying itself as one of the most dangerous programs in Missouri Class 6 football, the Joplin Eagles will have plenty of new faces as it looks to continue its dominance during the 2020 season.
“Everyone is excited coming off a state championship game appearance, and we want to keep riding that momentum,” Joplin coach Curtis Jasper said. “Obviously, with the pandemic and spring sports not getting to play, there is a lot of uncertainty and everyone’s a little nervous as far as wanting to make sure that we get to play and have a season. But, the excitement is there. We want to get back to the state championship and win it, and that drive from the players and coaches, and the support from the community, is still there.
“The main thing for us is continuing with the culture we have created, and understanding the process of how we go about it. You don’t win games, playoff games especially, if you don’t do the little things right. The biggest challenge for our senior class is to make sure they are still holding everyone accountable in terms of making sure all of the little things we do are done correctly.”
A LOOK BACK
The Eagles were struck with an indescribable tragedy leading up to their Week 2 matchup with Webb City when sophomore offensive lineman Kadin Roberts-Day passed away following an indoor practice. The community rallied around its football team, with Joplin defeating Webb City and Carthage in back-to-back weeks on the way to a perfect 9-0 regular season, capturing its first Central Ozark Conference title in the process.
The Eagles’ momentum carried over into the postseason with wins over Jefferson City, Kirkwood, Marquette and Fort Zumwalt West to capture a district crown while earning a spot in the Class 6 State Championship game. Joplin’s season came to an end at Faurot Field on the campus of the University of Missouri, falling for the first time all season 35-20 at the hands of De Smet in the title game.
“The biggest thing I will remember from last year is the culture and the way the players rallied around and supported each other,” Jasper said. “The community support as a whole was also incredible. We see so many disagreements from a societal standpoint, but to see the community embrace our school and program, pulling on the rope in the same direction, it was magical and uplifting. We want to continue to provide them with that excitement year after year.”
PRODUCTION LOST
Of course, with Joplin, a lot of the talk from outside the locker room leading into the 2020 season is centered around the loss of several playmakers from a year ago. The Eagles graduated running back/linebacker Isaiah Davis, wide receiver/safety Zach Westmorland and quarterback Blake Tash.
Davis finished as one of the best running backs in the state after rushing for 2,282 yards and 45 touchdowns, with an additional 220 yards and two touchdowns receiving. Davis added 56 tackles, two sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception on defense.
Westmoreland, one of the premier pass catchers in the state, hauled in 105 receptions for 1,633 yards and 21 touchdowns, to go along with 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Westmoreland led Joplin with seven interceptions, two going back for touchdowns, two deflections and a fumble recovery as well as 42 tackles. As the team’s main return man, Westmoreland added two punt returns for a touchdown.
Setting state and national records along the way, Tash finished as one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the state’s history as a senior, and for his career. In 2019, Tash completed 194-of-257 passes for a 76.9 competition percentage. He threw for 2,760 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Other notable losses for Joplin include placekicker and school record holder Garrett Landis, who finished with 24 touchbacks and converted 77-of-88 PATs last season, defensive end James Boyd, offensive lineman Logan Myers and defensive lineman Parker Erickson.
“It’s not just about replacing the production, but also the leadership,” Jasper said. “I think our seniors have done a good job of understanding how to see the model set for them and then build on that. Yes, there are a lot of stats that will need to be replaced, but just as important is the leadership provided by last year’s group as well.”
FILLING THE VOID
So, the biggest question for Coach Jasper and his Eagles, who is going to replace all of that production on an offense that averaged 46.3 points per game and a defense that held opponents to 21.1 points per game last season? The good news is there is plenty of experience coming back. Joplin’s offense returns six starters and 15 lettermen, while the defense returns five starters and 13 lettermen.
Senior Nathan Glades, who spent last season at running back and wide receiver, will be the bell-cow in the backfield for the Eagles this season. In 2019, Glades rushed for 471 yards on 73 carries, while adding 508 receiving yards on 37 catches, totaling eight touchdowns.
The Eagles will have several wide receivers returning to the fold with varsity experience this season, highlighted by seniors Trayshawn Thomas on the outside and Keaton Renfro in the slot. Thomas hauled in 19 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns, while Renfro caught 12 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Juniors LT Atherton and Bruce Wilbert also figure to be heavy contributors at the wideout position.
As far as who will be under center for Joplin, juniors Always Wright and Joe Jasper are in a competition for the starting quarterback spot.
“We have seen enough from both of those guys to know we can win with either of them starting,” Jasper said. “It’s nice to have that depth. It’s just a matter of who distinguishes themself and pulls ahead.”
Taking over at kicker for the Eagles will be Keaton Huff.
OFFENSIVE STRENGTHS
While Joplin will be replacing several playmakers offensively, without question, the biggest strength will be its offensive line. The Eagles return three lettermen to the trenches, led by senior left tackle Alex Curry, a first-team all-area, conference, district and state lineman. Returning with Curry will be seniors Sergio Piniero, a first-team all-district center, and right tackle Davis Ramsey. There is stiff competition for the two guard positions, with nearly six players competing for those roles.
“Obviously, Alex is an all-state lineman,” Jasper said. “But Sergio was great for us last year at center and really stepped up to fill some big shoes. Davis did a phenomenal job at right tackle, and we really missed him in the state title game after he went down with an injury late in the semifinal game. We have a lot of options at guard. … That competition is going to help us find the right two who will have the most success.”
DEFENSIVE STRENGTHS
Much like on offense, Joplin’s biggest strength on defense will be up front on the line and the linebacking unit. Junior DT Donovahn Watkins, a second-team all-area and third-time all-conference selection, will anchor the defensive front. Senior DE Jacob Prosser returns to the defensive line as well. The linebacker core will be headlined by senior Scott Lowe, who led Joplin with 134 tackles a year ago and is a first-team all-area and district selection as well as a second-team all-conference pick. Senior Marcelino Puente also returns as a starting linebacker, and junior Lonnie Watkins, who started the first three games last season before an injury cut his campaign short, is back at the second level.
“We feel we have a lot of depth along the defensive line,” Jasper said. “Donovahn Watkins is a huge presence in the middle, and he has had an awesome offseason. Jacob Prosser did a really good job for us last year, and he is back. At linebacker, we return Scott Lowe and Marcelino Puente, and plus we have a deep group of juniors we get to look at as well.”
AREAS OF CONCERN
Aside from replacing the offensive weapons from a season ago, one of the biggest concerns for the Eagles in 2020 will be the secondary. Joplin graduated three starters from that group — Westmoreland, Eli Eminger and Simeon Barba — but returns junior CB Dominick Simmons, who finished last season with 33 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Senior Jayden Holt and junior Korey Read will see extensive action in the secondary this season.
“Obviously, when you lose three-fourths of your starting secondary, including both safeties who were all-state athletes (Westmoreland and Eli Eminger), that is a place where we are going to look for kids to step up and fill big shoes. From what we have seen this summer, we have really liked what we’ve seen back there so far.”
SEASON OPENER
Joplin doesn’t have to wait long before finding itself in a big game. The Eagles open up the season at Junge Field with a matchup against the reigning Class 4 state champion Webb City Cardinals.
“With all of the craziness going on with the pandemic, we are literally playing one-game schedules this year,” Jasper said. “Webb is literally the only game we are focused on. After that game is over, we will focus on the next one.”
Lucas Davis is a sports reporter and podcast host for SoMo Sports. You can follow him on Twitter at @sportsbyLD. You can follow SoMo Sports on Facebook, or on Twitter at @SoMo_Sports.
