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FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Perennial power Webb City reloaded in 2021

By:
Jason Peake

 

The Webb City Cardinals will have new faces in big roles this fall. 

Entering the 2021 season, the Cardinals must overcome the loss of a talented senior class that produced 11 all-conference and six all-state performers. 

“We are replacing many multi-year starters in several positions,” Webb City coach John Roderique noted. “That’s a very tough thing to do. We’ll need to become an experienced team early. There are a lot of unknowns, but that’s what’s exciting. Some kids always surprise you.”

Webb City will rely heavily on five returning starters on offense and four full-time starters on defense to lead the way alongside a large number of new varsity performers who will get their chance to shine this season. 

“We’re a very inexperienced team right now,” said Roderique, who owns a record of 298-28 entering his 25th season at the helm. “It showed at times at the jamboree. But our kids have been working hard and they’ve done a really good job. We’ll have some new guys step forward. We’re excited to get the season kicked off and we’ll see how much progress we make week to week. We want to improve from start to finish.”  

As far as 2020, a bump up to Class 5 didn’t stop Webb City from having a memorable and highly successful campaign.

The Cardinals went 11-2 overall and were one of the final four teams competing in Class 5. Along the way, Webb City earned a share of the Central Ozark Conference championship, captured a district title for the 21st straight season and reached the state semifinals for the 12th time in 13 years. 

In a season that began with uncertainty due to the coronavirus pandemic, Roderique’s defending Class 4 champion Cardinals moved up to Class 5 and put together an 11-game winning streak before falling to Platte County in the semifinals. 

“The best part of the season was overcoming a season opening loss to Joplin to put ourselves in a tie for the conference title, winning a district championship and advancing to the semifinals,” said Roderique, who has won 12 state championships at his alma mater. 

Dealing with COVID-19 was not easy, Roderique noted.

“The most challenging thing was each day we didn’t know who was going to show up or be available for practice or who might be playing on Friday,” Roderique said. “We had to make many adjustments to the roster and depth chart each and every week.” 

Among the biggest losses to graduation were last year’s COC Offensive Player of the Year Devrin Weathers and COC Defensive Player of the Year Treghan Parker. Kansas State recruit Weathers and Missouri State recruit Gary Clinton were among the all-state performers who have moved on the next level. 

Cohl Vaden attempts a pass during last Friday’s jamboree at Junge Field. Photo by Shawn Fowler.

OFFENSE

Webb City’s split-back veer offense will be directed by a new quarterback this fall5-foot-10, 160-pound senior Cohl Vaden.

“Cohl’s been great at QB and he’s a really smart kid,” said Roderique. “He’s really smart and athletic on the field. He’s got a good football IQ. He’s doing a good job.” 

Vaden earned third-team all-COC honors last year as a wide receiver. He had 294 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Junior Gage Chapman is another option at QB. 

A pair of senior running backs return with starting experience. Dupree Jackson recorded 836 rushing yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, while classmate Cade Wilson ran for 305 yards and six scores before an injury cut short his season.

Eric Fitch is expected to play a key role for the Webb City Cardinals.

Options at wide receiver are seniors Eric Fitch and Josh Howard, while senior Skyler Denton and junior Trey Roets are tight ends.

Two offensive linemen are returning starters. 

Senior center Buddy Belcher (6-0, 245) earned all-conference and all-district honors last year. Belcher will start for a third straight season. 

Senior guard Braeden Jackson (6-3, 270) is also back with starting experience.

Senior Angel Valasquez and sophomores Kole Carr and Nate Miller are other possible starters on the offensive line.

 

DEFENSE

The Cardinals feature three returning starters at linebacker in seniors Brentan Wilson (5-9, 170) and Cooper Crouch (6-1, 210) and junior Lucas Ott (6-1, 195). 

Roderique expects all three players to be leaders of the defense. Wilson made 60 tackles last year, most among returning players. Crouch and Ott recorded 56 tackles apiece last fall. 

Also back are senior tackles Christian Kinney (6-3, 250) and Brody German (5-10, 230). Kinney recorded 27 stops last year, while German made 21 tackles.

Fitch is a possible starter at defensive back. Also expected to contribute nicely are seniors Gavin Stowell (LB) and Braxton Surber (DL) and juniors Kaylor Darnell (DB) and A.J. Bash (DL). 

 

COACHING STAFF ADDITIONS

Roderique’s coaching staff has two noteworthy additions this year.

Scott Bailey, who led Lamar to seven state titles in 14 years, is now coaching Webb City’s defensive line. 

Webb City graduate and former assistant Ryan McFarland is back on the staff as the offensive coordinator after leaving Seneca, where he guided the Indians the last five years. 

“They’re awesome guys and just good friends,” Roderique said of Bailey and McFarland. “They’re both great with kids. They’re exceptional football coaches and they do a great job of inspiring and motivating kids.” 

 

WEEK 1 IS HERE

Webb City hosts Joplin at 7 on Friday night in a highly-anticipated Week 1 clash. 

“It’s Week 1, so it’s like a baseline test to figure out where you’re at,” Roderique said. “Week 1 will give us an indication of where we need to be and where we need to go.” 

 

WEBB CITY’S 2021 SCHEDULE

8-27 vs. Joplin

9-3 at Neosho

9-10 vs. Republic

9-17 at Carthage

9-24 at Carl Junction

10-1 vs. Branson

10-8 at Nixa

10-15 vs. Ozark

10-22 at Willard 

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