Bob Anderson Stadium is going to have a new look for the upcoming 2020 season and beyond.
Neosho will no longer be playing games on natural grass, as new turf was brought in and laid out over the offseason.
“It’s especially exciting for the players,” Neosho coach Leon Miller said. “We go to other facilities and see what they have, and now our kids are excited they get to have some of the same things. We are practicing across the street right now, but they can’t wait to get on the new turf. It was a much-needed upgrade.”
Of course, the turf isn’t the only upgrade to Bob Anderson Stadium.
“Our maintenance staff has also done a lot of painting and cleaning that has made a world of improvement,” continued Miller. “This, along with future projects, will make Bob Anderson Stadium a first-rate facility that our community can be proud of for years. Our kids deserve quality facilities to train and prepare in, and this lets them know the hard work is appreciated. This also allows us to have a consistently great playing surface year-round for multiple uses.”
As far as the product on the field is concerned, Neosho returns 27 players with varsity experience, including a trio of two-way players who contributed greatly to the team over the past several seasons.
“It’s very important to return a lot of kids who have seen the field on Friday nights and have that experience,” Miller said. “Those kids know what to expect. We are really excited about our group of kids. They’re a good group, and they work hard. We are excited about the potential there.”
Running back and linebacker Drayke Perry, offensive and defensive lineman Kaden Decker and tight end/linebacker Sam Sullivan headline the list of returners for the Wildcats. And with each senior playing both ways, they will be looked at as leaders for both units.
“We will rely very heavily on them, particularly for leadership,” Miller said. “Those three (have been tested at the varsity level) and they are a known quantity, so they will be key for us.”
Joining Perry in the backfield, which figures to be one of the strengths for Neosho, will be junior Talon Mitchell.
Along the offensive line, joining Decker and Sullivan, will be juniors OL/DL Seth Green, Pete Houk, Nico Olivares and Grant Campbell. Miller noted there will be competition along the trenches as well for some playing time.
“We feel like we have some depth, and some kids who are capable of stepping in and doing a great job,” Miller said. “We got some kids pushing (for starting opportunities) hard, and that’s exactly what we want.”
After graduating multi-year starter Gage Kelley, the Wildcats will be looking at a quarterback competition this preseason. Juniors Evan Haskins and Logan Whetzell, among others, will be competing for the starting position.
“I am looking for someone who can take charge, not only in the huddle, but of the situation and provide some leadership,” Miller said. “I want somebody who makes good decisions but isn’t afraid to take chances when need be. … We need someone solid back there who understands he doesn’t have to do it all himself and will take care of business.”
Miller is excited about the prospects for his group of wide receivers. Isaiah Green, Landon Werneke, Lane Yost and Aiden Howell, with others in the mix, figure to play a large role out wide.
“We have a receiving corps that is probably as deep as we have ever had, as far as being equal in talent and effort,” Miller said. “We are really excited about that, and hopefully we can utilize them in the right way.”
Senior linebacker Jacob Fry and junior linebacker Tristen Linders join a large returning group on defense, with the defensive line and linebackers considered to be the Wildcats’ biggest strength.
A meaningful new addition to the defense will be three-time state champion wrestler Cayden Auch, who figues to be a key contributor in the secondary.
“We have a lot of the same kids playing on the defensive side of the ball,” Miller said. “But there are some other kids who will figure in the mix. We still have some questions (in the secondary), but the good thing is it’s been very competitive, and that is something we haven’t had in the past. We are excited to see how that will shake out.”
Neosho is projected to open the season in a home game with Republic on Aug. 28 and the newly-madeover Bob Anderson Stadium.
“It has been awesome,” Miller said about getting back out on the field to practice in preparation for the upcoming season while dealing with the pandemic. “The frustrating part about the whole thing is the uncertainty. The one thing we know is we are going to go out there to play a normal season, and that’s what we hope to do. So, it’s some return to normalcy and you just keep building towards that.”
