By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
In most cases, a loss in the quarterfinals of the previous season’s state football playoffs doesn’t hand a football team the top rung in the next year's preseason rankings.
The perch in the top spot seems even more improbable when that same team returns just eight starters.
Those two scenarios have played out for Carthage since the Tigers defeated Webb City 23-22 in the Class 4 sectionals toward the end of the 2007 Missouri high school football season.
Carthage went on to lose to Ozark 27-20 in the Missouri Class 4 state football quarterfinals, and this season returns just five starters on offense and three more on defense.
But Tiger head coach Jon Guidie’s team still finds itself nestled comfortably on top of the 2008 Class 4 preseason rankings.
The advancement of defending Class 4 champion Lee’s Summit West, Ozark and Timberland to the Class 5 ranks, and the return of star quarterback Trey Derryberry, negate past trends and give the Tigers the nod as the best team in the state’s third largest classification.
Derryberry, who threw for 2,532 yards and rushed for another 732 yards in 2007, has returning starters Brian Poston, a running back, and wide receiver Clay Kinman at his disposal again this season.
Senior Jake Triplett will anchor an offensive line that is set to keep Derryberry’s jersey spotless and open gaping holes for Poston. Senior linebacker Alex Cutbirth and junior defensive end Cody Caster will lead the Tiger defense.
If Carthage should falter, Kearney is poised to take over and win the school’s first Class 4 state football title since running the tables in the 2002 and 2003 playoffs.
Back to lead the Bulldogs to the promised land is senior quarterback Conrad Schottel. Lined up behind the experienced signal caller will be senior running back Cody Creason.
Kearney coach Greg Jones will build his defense around senior linebacker Tyler Trout. The kicking game is in good hands with Matt Slenker handling the kicking duties and Mark Krause doing the punting honors.
Senior quarterback Mack Kyle hopes to lead third ranked Webb City to its fourth state title since 2000, and its first since winning the Class 4 championship in 2006.
Harrisonville, who has won four of the last five Class 3 championships, sits in the No. 4 spot after moving up to the Class 4 ranks for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Senior running back Derek Naida, who ran for 1,123 yards a year ago, will operate behind an offensive line that is centered around the skills of all-Missouri River Valley offensive lineman Taylor Moreland.
Linebackers Joe Dahman and Kyle Livingston and nose guard Daniel Kelly will head up a strong Wildcat defense.
Record shattering quarterback and Kansas recruit Jordan Webb, who threw for 3,832 yards and an eye-popping 46 touchdowns a year ago, hopes to lead Union to the top spot in his final high school season.
One of his favorite targets, Malcolm Stanley, returns after a junior season in which he caught 57 passes for 1,011 yards and 15 scores. Senior linebacker Steve Schaefer returns to anchor the defense following a season in which he was in on 106 tackles.
Here are the 2008 Missouri Class 4 preseason rankings.
1. Carthage Tigers 10-2
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Central Ozarks-Large
Head Coach: Jon Guidie
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Ozark 27-20 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 38-14
Top Players: Trey Derryberry Sr. QB, Brian Poston So. RB, Clay Kinman Sr. WR, Alex Cutbirth Sr. LB, Cody Caster Jr. DE, Jake Triplett Sr. OL
2. Kearney Bulldogs 10-2
School Colors: Purple/Gold
Conference: Suburban-Small 6
Head Coach: Greg Jones
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Lee’s Summit West 35-7 in Quarterfinals
State Championships: 2002 (Class 4), 2003 (Class 4)
Record Last Five Seasons: 41-15
Top Players: Conrad Schottel Sr. QB, Cody Creason Sr. RB, Tyler Trout Sr. LB, Matt Slenker Sr. K, Mark Krause Sr. P
3. Webb City Cardinals 10-1
School Colors: Blue/Scarlet
Conference: Central Ozarks-Large
Head Coach: John Roderique
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Carthage 23-22 in Sectionals
State Championships: 1989 (Class 4A), 1992 (Class 4A), 1993 (Class 4A), 1997 (Class 4A), 2000 (Class 4A), 2001 (Class 4A), 2006 (Class 4)
Record Last Five Seasons: 55-7
Top Players: Mack Kyle Sr. QB
4. Harrisonville Wildcats 14-0
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Missouri River Valley-West
Head Coach: Chuck Lliteras
2007 State Playoffs: Defeated MICDS 49-14 in Class 3 State Championship Game
State Championships: 2003 (Class 3), 2005 (Class 3), 2006 (Class 3), 2007 (Class 3)
Record Last Five Seasons: 66-3
Top Players: Derek Naida Sr. RB, Taylor Moreland Sr. OL, Joe Dahman Jr. LB, Kyle Livingston So. LB, Daniel Kelly Sr. NG
5. Union Wildcats 9-2
School Colors: Black/Red
Conference: Four Rivers
Head Coach: Brent Eckley
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Ozark 57-56 in overtime in Sectionals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 30-23
Top Players: Jordan Webb Sr. QB, Malcolm Stanley Sr. WR, Steve Schaefer Sr. LB
6. MICDS Rams 12-1
School Colors: Green/Scarlet
Conference: ABC
Head Coach: Matt Irvin
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Harrisonville 49-14 in Class 3 State Championship Game
State Championships: 1996 (Class 3A), 2004 (Class 3)
Record Last Five Seasons: 53-6
Top Players: Jeremiah Oteh Sr. QB, Sammy Santana Sr. WR, Nick Shortal Sr. LB/RB, Rick Lottenbach Sr. RB, Nick Treiman Sr. LB
7. Helias Crusaders 10-1
School Colors: Blue/Gold
Conference: Freelance
Head Coach: Chris Hentges
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Lee’s Summit West 26-0 in Sectionals
State Championships: 1984 (Class 4A), 1998 (Class 4A)
Record Last Five seasons: 30-19
Top Players: Brad Lorang Sr. RB
8. Smith-Cotton Tigers 6-4
School Colors: Black/Gold
Conference: West Central
Head Coach: Mark Johnson
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 27-24
Top Players: Solomon Watkins Sr. RB/DB, Bryce Johnson Sr. QB, Jordan Brown Sr. DB, Evan Schnicker Jr. DB
9. Grain Valley Eagles 12-1
School Colors: Blue/Silver/White
Conference: Missouri River Valley-West
Head Coach: Forrest Rovello
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Harrisonville 51-35 in Class 3 Semifinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 38-16
Top Players: Austin Goldsmith Jr. QB, Trace Goade Jr. LB, John Mollet Sr. OL
10. Carl Junction Bulldogs 8-2
School Colors: Red/White
Conference: Big 8
Head Coach: Bret Gosch
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 26-24
Top Players: Zach Waranch Jr. RB, Joey Braeckel Sr. DB