Pierce City Team Preview & Players to Know

A successful season on the football field resulted in an 8-3 record for Pierce City last year under the guidance of <span class="il">Brad</span> <span class="il">Hocker</span>. Now, entering his 16th year at the school, <span class="il">Hocker</span> will have a few pieces to replace as the team lost seniors that were two-way starters. The new guys will have to step in to fill the voids left by the graduations of Chanse Ford, Kyle Renkoski, [player_tooltip player_id="96102" first="Cody" last="Hyde"], Tristan Cruz, Kalem Parrigon and Kyler Fenske. Parrigon, Hyde, Cruz and Ford were all first-team All-Southwest Conference picks for the Eagles, while Ford and Hyde were on the Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association’s Class 1 team. “We lost some outstanding seniors and it is time for underclassmen to step up,” said <span class="il">Hocker</span>, who is 89-41 at Pierce City and 116-83 overall in 23 years coaching. “Some of our young kids got hurt last year and they lost much needed JV reps because of that. Those kids are hungry and ready to prove they can continue the success we have had in recent years. With the leadership of our senior class, I believe we can be competitive in every game on our schedule. Our kids are ready to surprise the conference.” The Eagles return two all-conference linemen in juniors Will Allen and Levi Cooper, while junior running back [player_tooltip player_id="190966" first="Clayton" last="O’Hara"] is back after earning all-SWC honors last year. The third starter back for an offense, that averaged 28 points per game last year, is lineman [player_tooltip player_id="190965" first="Frankie" last="Ibarra"]. The Eagles have had five straight winning seasons, which include three straight years of at least 10 wins and a usual spot in the Missouri Media Poll Top 10 poll from 2017-2019. Last year’s senior class went 31-3 in high school. The season opens on Aug. 27 against Lockwood, which will be an 8-man game. Lockwood made the switch from 11-man but the Eagles will still play them — just with less players on the field to avoid having a bye in Week 1. The first 11-man game will be Sept. 3 at Diamond – where <span class="il">Hocker</span> coached before going to Pierce City. Here is a quick look at some of the Pierce City players to watch this fall… <strong>Class of 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190963" first="Payton" last="Moennig"], 6-0, 170, QB/DB</strong> Will move from wide receiver to quarterback this year, a key spot to make the right reads in the offense that runs the ball plenty. He won’t be asked to pass a lot — the top three returning receiver had a combined 12 catches. Moennig had 41 total tackles and three interceptions last season from his spot in the secondary. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190965" first="Frankie" last="Ibarra"], 5-9, 200, OL/DL</strong> Racked up 47 tackles on the defensive line and plays a key role on the offensive line for a squad that plays smash-mouth football, which is a given with Hocker’s background. The head coach held the Missouri State High School Activities Association record for career rushing yards and single-season rushing yards for more than a decade. <strong>Class of 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190966" first="Clayton" last="O’Hara"], 6-0, 160, RB/DB/LB</strong> Hocker calls O’Hara the heart and soul of the team and he is expected to carry a big load in the run-heavy offense. O’Hara ran for 711 yards and 14 touchdowns last year, adding a 1-2 punch with the graduated senior Chanse Ford. O’Hara had 56 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one defensive touchdown as linebacker. His brother, Cedric, played at NAIA Missouri Valley College. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="190967" first="Zane" last="Clayton"], 5-9, 160, RB/LB</strong> The defense will be anchored by Clayton, a linebacker, who <span class="il">Hocker</span> says is the team’s best player on that side of the ball. Clayton racked up 110 tackles last year, while getting two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and scoring two defensive touchdowns. His role on the offense will expand this year, shifting in the No. 2 back role that O’Hara had last year.