By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
An opportunistic defense and the play of Lawson quarterback Joseph Kassanavoid carried the Cardinals to a 38-17 trouncing of Blair Oaks in the 2007 Class 2 State Championship football game last November.
Although Kassanavoid didn’t have monster numbers in the championship game - he threw for 99 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 75 yards on 15 carries and another score - he also made an impact on offense, defense and special teams.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder also totaled seven tackles on defense, forced two fumbles, and booted a 47-yard punt that pinned the Falcons at their own 1-yard line.
In other words, Kassanavoid’s presence on the football field was a key difference in Lawson winning its first state championship versus Blair Oaks, which defended its 2006 title but came up short.
Fast forwarding to 2008, Kassanavoid’s graduation and the return of Blair Oaks quarterback Justin Eiken may be enough to give Blair Oaks the early lead in the race for the 2008 Class 2 football title, at least in this preseason poll.
Eiken threw for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 2007 title loss and was selected as a first team defensive back on the Missouri Football Coaches Class 2 All-State Team.
Back to protect Eiken and open up holes for the running game are senior offensive linemen Jordan Basinger, Andy Luecke, Todd Alexander and Brian Lamb. Linebacker Brett Lepper returns for his senior season as well.
The Cardinals return a solid 1-2 punch at running back in senior Ethan Deardeuff and junior Zac Mathews. First team all-KCI offensive guard Nick Jordan leads the way up front for the defending champs.
The defense should be solid again with the return of second team all-conference senior linebackers Braden Priest and Noah Jordan. Defensive lineman Devin Mellon and cornerback Nathan Robison return for their senior seasons after being tabbed first team all-conference selections a season ago.
Maryville finished the 2007 season with a 9-1 record, but did not qualify for the playoffs. The Spoofhounds, however, do return the talent needed to make a serious run at the title in 2008.
Offensive linemen Spencer Twaddle and Clint Thompson are back for their senior and junior seasons respectively. Running backs Adam Mattson and John Farmer are set to take advantage of that front line experience.
First-team all-state defensive lineman Zach Sherry returns up front on defense, along with honorable mention All-Midland Empire selection Jason Davis. The Spoofhounds also return a pair of experienced linebackers in seniors Joseph Jasinki and John Schreck.
Fourth-ranked Maplewood-Richmond Heights and Hermann round out the top five with the return of several key players from a year ago.
The Blue Devils return the pass catching duo of sure handed senior receiver Bryant Allen and first-team All-Mississippi Area Blue division quarterback senior Les Williams.
Senior guard Lonnie Stuckey will create havoc for any defender trying to either get to Williams or stuff the running game.
Allen and Stuckey have all-star power on the defensive side of the ball, as well, at defensive back and on the line respectively. The line backing duo of junior Cedric Thompson and senior Devin Lindsey are back to antagonize any offense they face.
Junior Adam Bingham returns up front on the defensive line, while senior Darryl Davis should have another solid season at defensive end.
Hermann returns 17starters from a team that compiled a 7-4 season. The Bearcats lost to Maplewood 22-7 at sectionals.
Here is our Class 2 Preseason Top 10.
1. Blair Oaks Falcons 11-3
School Colors: Green/White
Conference: Tri-County
Head Coach: Brad Drehle
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Lawson 38-17 in Championship Game
State Championships: 2004 (2), 2006 (2)
Record Last Five Seasons: 58-7
Top Players: Andy Luecke Sr. DL, Justin Eiken Sr. DB, Jordan Basinger Sr. OL, Brett Lepper Sr. LB, Todd Alexander Sr. OL, Brian Lamb Sr. OL
2. Lawson Cardinals 14-0
School Colors: Red/White
Conference: KCI
Head Coach: Todd Dunn
2007 State Playoffs: Defeated Blair Oaks 38-17 in Championship Game
State Championships: 2007 (2)
Record Last Five Seasons: 53-10
Top Players: Ethan Deardeuff Sr. RB, Nick Jordan Sr. OG, Zac Mathews Jr. RB, Devin Mellon Jr. DL, Nathan Robison Sr. CB, Braden Priest Sr. LB, Noah Jordan Sr. LB
3. Maryville Spoofhounds 9-1
School Colors: Green/White
Conference: Midland Empire
Head Coach: Chris Holt
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: 1982 (3A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 32-19
Top Players: Zach Sherry Sr. DL, Adam Mattson Sr. RB, Derek Johns Sr. Spec Teams, Spencer Twaddle Sr. OL, Jason Davis Jr. DL, Joseph Jasinki Sr. LB, John Schreck Sr. LB, Clint Thompson Jr. OL, John Farmer Sr. RB
4. Maplewood-Richmond Heights Blue Devils 12-1
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Mississippi Area-Blue
Head Coach: David Harris
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Blair Oaks 42-14 in Semifinals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 30-22
Top Players: Bryant Allen Sr. P/WR/DB, Lonnie Stuckey Sr. DL, Cedric Thompson Jr. LB, Adam Bingham Jr. DL, Les Williams Sr. QB, Darryl Davis Sr. DE, Devin Lindsey Sr. LB
5. Hermann Bearcats 7-4
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Four Rivers
Head Coach: Chip Stutzman
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Maplewood-Richmond Heights 22-7 in Sectionals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 32-21
Top Players: Danny Mundwiller Sr. LB, Joshua Witthaus Sr. WR, Stephen Flint Sr. DL, Tyler Meyer Jr. RB, Jacob Kuhn Sr. OL, Shawn Browning Sr. DL, Evan Grotewiel Sr. LB, Jesse Steiner Sr. WR
6. Plattsburg Tigers 7-3
School Colors: Black/Red
Conference: KCI
Head Coach: Karl Asbury
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: 1979 (2A)
Record Last Five Seasons: 26-23
Top Players: Erik May Sr. RB, T.J. Apple Sr. WR, Taylor Davis Sr. QB, John Gilpin Sr. OT, Wren Cooper Sr. OT, Austin Reeves Jr. DB/WR
7. Clark County Indians 10-1
School Colors: Scarlet/Gray
Conference: Tri-Rivers
Head Coach: Matt Smith
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Trenton 28-20 in Sectionals
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 44-10
Top Players: Cori Seth Sr. DL, Lynn Williams Sr. DL, Bryan Plenge Sr. DB, Javis Vineyard Sr. RB, Michael Brennan Sr. OL, Ethan Allen QB
8. Brookfield Bulldogs 8-2
School Colors: Blue/White
Conference: Tri-Rivers
Head Coach: Shane Cavanah
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 45-9
Top Players: Colby Bailey Sr. QB, Nathan Bennett Sr. RB, Dillon Devoy Sr. RB, Will Paalhar Sr. OL/DL, Jon Swift Sr. OL/DL, Ryan Falconer Sr. OL/DL, Brock Wine Jr. OL/DL
9. Pierce City Eagles 8-2
School Colors: Green/White
Conference: Spring River Valley
Head Coach: Brad Hocker
2007 State Playoffs: N/A
State Championships: N/A
Record Last Five Seasons: 39-12
Top Players: Jared Frey Sr. WR, Garrett Garman Jr. RB, Curtis Palmer RB, Dietrick Sooter Sr. WR, Danny Morrow Sr. OT/DL, Dustin Craig Sr. LB, Jansen Moennig Sr. C, Jared Barchak Jr. TE
10. Centralia Panthers
School Colors: Purple/Gold
Conference: Clarence Cannon
Head Coach: Erle Bennett
2007 State Playoffs: Lost to Blair Oaks 30-21 in Sectionals
State Championships: 2003 (2)
Record Last Five Seasons: 46-12
Top Players: Will Evans Sr. LB/RB, Aaron Kroeger Jr. OT, Tyler Wright Sr. OG