As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Missouri for the 2009 season.
{VIDEO_7cdf956f-353a-46d2-b6bc-402402e9c0d4,floatRightWithBar}1. Blue Springs
Through the first seven weeks of the 2008 season, including a 28-21 win over preseason favorite Rockhurst, the Wildcats looked like the team to beat in Missouri’s largest classification. But lopsided losses to Kansas City area rivals Blue Springs South (42-15) and the Hawklets (48-0) in the Class 6 sectionals soon followed. The season-ending loss to the Hawklets will be forgotten once the 2009 season begins, however. This team is loaded with offensive firepower. Junior running back Darrian Miller and senior wide receiver Keeston Terry, a Nebraska recruit, give the Wildcats big play threats from anywhere on the field. Senior Drew Kerber anchors an offensive line that will give talented senior signal caller Jared Lanpher the time and room to operate. Senior tight end Brady Letchworth and junior receiver Jordan Nubine return as well. On defense, Terry and junior Bernard Thomas return to what should be a steady secondary, while senior Jordan Chrisman spearheads the Wildcat defensive line. Wildcat coach Kelly Donohoe is in a good position to win the school’s first football title since 2003.
2. Jefferson City
The Jays have tons of tradition, but haven’t won a state football title since winning the Class 5A championship in 1997. That could change this season as plenty of talent returns to a team that lost a narrow 16-10 decision to Blue Springs South in the Class 6 semifinals. Junior all-district running back Kody Walker will be running behind senior all-district linemen Kaleb Davis and junior J. J. Johnson. Senior Reece Roedel will handle the kicking duties. On defense senior lineman Trent Kay returns as does senior defensive back Christian Cummings, both all-district honorees. Senior all-district linebackers Evan Porter and Christian Wyatt will give opposing offenses fits as Jefferson City plays its way toward St. Louis’ Edward Jones Dome.
3. Liberty
The Bluejays are in the third year of a rebuilding process, and should reap the benefits of the previous two seasons this year. Coach Joel Wells will have several three-year starters at his disposal in 2009. Although the Jays didn’t qualify for the postseason a year ago, falling to Blue Springs (48-38) and Blue Springs South (28-21) in Class 6 District 8 action, the talent and experience is there to win that rugged district and more this season. Junior Marshall Arnold is the anchor of an offensive line that will block for senior running backs Garrett White and Katro Keels. Whoever earns the nod as Liberty’s quarterback this fall will play catch with all-state senior receiver Marcus Lucas, a Division I prospect. Senior Christian Brisner returns to punt for Wells, while senior Derek Strickland and junior Matt Searcy bring talent and experience to the Bluejay linebacking corp.
4. Rockhurst
Quite simply, it’s Rockhurst. It’s hard to imagine a top five without the Hawklets. This is a team that could win another state title or drop completely out of the ratings and the state title hunt. Coach Tony Severino lost tons of talent from a year ago, including signal caller Nathan Scheelhaase, receiver Keith Langtry, running back Chris Castelluccio and offensive lineman Tom Freeman, but he always seems to find the pieces to make another deep post season run. Senior Sal Belfonte, one of those pieces, will be all over the field this season after having earned post-season honors as a line backer and on special teams where he often electrified Hawklet faithful. Senior Dexter McDonald, who recently commited to Illiniois, returns to his cornerback spot, while Dan Tapko is set on the defensive line.
5. Raymore-Peculiar
The Panthers will rely on one of the top young quarterbacks in the Show-Me State to get past the semifinals and into the Class 5 championship game. And he will rely on one of the best, if not the best, offensive lines in the state to protect him and open holes and running lanes for the Ray-Pec running game. That is a winning combination. After a stellar sophomore season in which Cameron Coffman threw for over 2,300 yards and 23 touchdowns against just seven interceptions, the second team Suburban 7 signal caller is ready to carry his team to the next level. First team all-conference offensive lineman Andrew Mueller, a senior, will join fellow senior linemates Gage Roe (second team) and Patrick Noyes (honorable mention). Defensively, first team all-conference senior lineman Jake Peterson returns as does linebacker Alex Stockam and defensive backs Daniel Breit and Marc Harrison, all seniors.
Other Teams Considered: Fort Osage (9-3), Raytown South (12-2), Blue Springs South (11-3), Lee’s Summit West (9-4), Fort Zumwalt West (9-3), Hazelwood Central (12-2), McCluer North (6-6), DeSmet Jesuit (8-3).
