Nixa vs Joplin: Top Performers & Prospects
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It was a beautiful Friday night for football as possibly the two best teams in Southwest Missouri faced off in an exciting battle that did not disappoint in a high scoring game that ended in a Nixa 49-35 win over…
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Continue ReadingIt was a beautiful Friday night for football as possibly the two best teams in Southwest Missouri faced off in an exciting battle that did not disappoint in a high scoring game that ended in a Nixa 49-35 win over Joplin that was closer then the final score. The top talent rose to the occasion. Here is a look at those top performers and prospects in the game.
NIXA
Ramone Green Jr
Ramone
Green Jr
5'9" | 180 lbs | RB
Nixa | 2023
State
MO
. | 2023 | RB | 5’9″ 186 |
This senior running back played absolutely lights out and refused to let his team lose. He was a man on a mission and carried Nixa with his legs to victory rushing the ball 35 times for 301 yards and 6 touchdowns on the night. He also caught four passed for 37 additional yards to help his team. Green Jr. showed incredible toughness, balance, athleticism and speed in his scoring runs. He can run with power, despite his size, along with being quick and elusive and having an extra gear he can hit when needed making him hard for defenders to tackle. Ramone is an all-purpose complete type back who does everything well including blocking. He told me after the game that he worked hard in the off season to improve his skills and overall athleticism and hit a 4.5 forty in testing. A definite college prospect who has offers from schools like Pitt State, Harding and others but is getting attention from D1s such as Kansas State and Missouri State.
Spencer Ward
Spencer
Ward
5'9" | 175 lbs | ATH
Nixa | 2024
State
MO
| 2024 | S/RB | 5’9″ 180 |
Another very talented athlete for Nixa who was all over the field from his safety position as well as playing some running back. Ward had an amazing 22 tackles in a game featured explosive offenses, and also scored a rushing TD and 21 yards at RB, while contributing 75 yards in returns on special teams. He plays much bigger then his size and hits like a linebacker while having the ability to cover like a cornerback. A very physical and energetic prospect who is a both a vocal leader on his team as well as with his play despite being only a junior. Good speed, tackling ability and likes to hit. Tough runner when in on offense. Should be the main focus on offensive for Nixa as a senior.
Jackson Cantwell | 2026 | LT | 6’8″ 260 |
Jackson Cantwell
Freshman left tackle Jackson Cantwell will be one of the most heavily recruited players in the class of 2026 in Missouri and most likely nationally. Despite it only being his third start at the position, Cantwell was dominant against upperclassmen all night with both his run blocking and pass protection. He appears to be a natural at LT using his tremendous athleticism at 6’8″ 260 to make up for his rawness and lack of experience. It’s amazing to think of what may be as he continues to progress and improves his technique in the coming years. Also a standout basketball player and track athlete, Jackson is nimble, agile and hostile on the football field. He already has great feet and bounce along with his quickness and ability to run, pull or get downfield on block. He uses his hands well and gets off the ball very fast and sustains his blocks. He did a nice job all night protecting his QB and helping his team in the run game put up big numbers. The sky is the limit at this point for him with his potential.
Kael Combs
Kael
Combs
6'4" | 190 lbs | WR
Nixa | 2023
State
MO
| 2023 | WR | 6’4″ 190 |
Combs wasn’t a big factor in the passing game for Nixa but made the most of his opportunities. The big receiving target and two-sport D1 athlete ( also being recruited for basketball) is very smooth and fluid in his route running and does a nice job making himself a target. He has good speed and is a physical receiver who battles and can o up and get it in a crowd. He also has underrated blocking ability, which he showed on the night as Nixa kept the ball on the ground most of the night. Does a really nice job of downfield blocking and will make DBs pay if they are not up to it. Combs finished the night with 3 receptions for 71 yards including a 50 yarder for a touchdown. All this is why he has D1 offers in football from schools like Southern Miss, Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Missouri State and South Dakota.
Jayden Antonelli | 2024 | DE/EDGE | 6’3″ 210 |
Antonelli was Nixa”s top defender on the night along with Ward. He is a quick and speedy DE off the edge that was disruptive to Joplin’s offense. He has a quick first step and get off which helped his chase the QB and make plays down the line with his speed and ability to run down ball carriers. He looks like he could possibly have the athleticism to play OLB on the next level but definitely EDGE in college. I was impressed with his motor and being involved on almost every down in plays. He’s also already a heady player who will get his hand up in passing lanes and made a nice bat down of a ball at a critical time as Joplin kept coming back to keep the game close. His 9 tackles ( 2 for loss) played a big role in the Eagles win. A player on the rise.
Connor Knatcal
Connor
Knatcal
6'1" | 180 lbs | QB
Nixa | 2023
State
MO
| 2023 | QB | 6’2″ 200 |
The Nixa QB did a really nice job running his team and leading the offense down the field, limiting mistakes and showed good command of the offense and his teammates fed off of his leadership. He had a really good night completing 75% of his passes 12-16 for 183 yards and a TD. Connor is an underrated QB prospect who played for Empire 7v7 in the off-season and is deserving of more looks from schools looking for a quarterback on the next level to add to their roster.
Jacob Lile
Jacob
Lile
6'3" | 270 lbs | OL
Nixa | 2025
State
MO
| 2025 | OL | 6’4″ 280 |
A rising class of 2025 offensive linemen to watch for the reason of this season and the next two year. Lile has good size and showed good overall athleticism, strength and blocking ability. Good feet , is quick, physical and can run well, pull and get downfield to block. He hold his blocks and was stacking up pancakes all night finishing with 7 of them. Also did a nice job in pass pro from his guard position. Looks to have a bright future as an interior lineman on the next level if he continues to work on his skills and devlops.
Gage Sporleder | 2023 | LB | 5’9″ 200 |
LB standout wh deserves mention and was second on the team against Joplin with 14 tackles on the night and played with a lot of grit.
Ty Hartman | 2023 | LB | 6’1″ 200 |
Another Nixa linebacker who had double digit tackles was Hartman, who I saw in on a lot of plays when Joplin needed to be slowed down, and had 11 tackles in the game.
JOPLIN
Whit Hafer
Whit
Hafer
6'7" | 245 lbs | TE
Joplin | 2024
State
MO
| 2024 | TE | 6’7″ 235 |
Night an impressive night in the stats department for the big- time junior TE prospect, although he did have an impressive 6-yard touchdown catch climbing the ladder and using his size with a defender on him to go up and make the catch. He did however do a good job blocking as an inline tight end and H-back. Hafer is an impressive overall athlete with great length at 6’7″ and can run well enough to be a downfield target along with being a nice short yardage and red zone option. He has advanced physical development ( already looks like a college player) and soft hands. No doubt from playing basketball where he is a prospect in that sport as well. His future looks like it is on the gridiron to me, and he has offers already in that sport from Missouri and Kansas, with schools like Minnesota, Tennessee, Kansas State and other showing interest in him. He’s a high level football prospect.
Dontrell Holt | 2024 | OL | 6’5″ 280 |
The big junior offensive lineman did not disappoint with his play at left tackle for Joplin. Holt is an athletic 6’5″ 285 and looked good in helping his Eagles rush for 240 yards overall and pass for another 254 with his run and pass blocking ability. He’s quick and is light on his feet while using his hands and reach well, and is very physical and powerful in his run blocks against opponents. Schools such as Iowa State, Kansas State, Eastern Michigan and Missouri State have recognized his ability and potential already with offers and other schools are continuing to show interest.
Terrance Gibson | 2023 | WR | 6’5″ 210 |
Gibson had a big night and played his role well as he had 6 catches for 123 yards and a score while averaging 22.3 yards per catch. A highly underrated receiving prospect in my opinion, Terrance could play either receiver or tight end on the next level in my opinion. He has great size and length and can really get downfield as a target and can be used as a weapon in the passing game with his speed and athleticism. Did a nice job running routes and finding open space. He has good, reliable hands and also contributes well in the run game with his blocking ability. He’s an advanced athlete who deserves more attention from colleges on every level.
Quinton Renfro | 2024 | RB | 6’0″ 185 |
Renfro has looked like he was going to be a big contributor as some point for Joplin since he was a freshman when he showed his speed would be a difference maker on the football field. He did a nice job progressing last season and has had a breakout year so far this year at running back for the Eagles. Last Friday he was their leading rusher with 24 carries for 147 yards and a score against a swarming and physical Nixa defense. He showed his speed on his 30-yard touchdown run breaking free. On the year he has 524 yards and 6 TDs as his teams leading rusher. He’s a potential home run threat every time he touches the ball.
Hobbs Gooch | 2024 | QB | 6’4″ 190 |
Gooch is an impressive junior quarterback on the rise who caught my attention over the summer at camp. He has great size at 6’4″ and sees the field very well, doing a good job finding his open receivers. He has a good arm with zip on the ball putting it in there. Seems to be able to make all the throws. He has good poise standing in the pocket and is athletic enough to roll out and make throws or tuck it and pick up yards. He has good speed. Good feet and decision making. He threw for 254 yards on 14 of 24 passing. For the season he has completed 64% of his passes for 994 yards and 13 TDs in the first 5 games. A rising name to watch for the rest of this season and next.
Davin Thomas
Davin
Thomas
6'0" | 175 lbs | WR
Joplin | 2025
State
MO
| 2025 | WR | 6’0″ 160 |
Davin Thomas Davin Thomas 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Joplin | 2025 State MO is a rising sophomore who had 5 catches for 99 yards, including a 54 yard catch for a score, averaging 19 yards per catch on the night. Davin is another nice target with speed for the Eagles to be able to throw to and has good hands and the ability to make plays after the catch. The young receiver on the rise has been a big part of the Joplin offense hauling in 17 passes for 381 yards and 6 TDs through 5 games and averaging 22.4 yards per catch and is a big play threat in their offense. Also a returner. Another underclassmen who has the potential to be a solid college prospect.
Cordell Washington | 2026 | S | 5’10” 160 |
Freshman Cordell Washington has had an outstanding first year of varsity football racking up 24 tackles and a forced fumble in his first five games of high school ball from his safety position. Washington uses his speed and athleticism to make plays against the run and also can cover. Looks like he could play cornerback but he’s physical and can cover a lot of ground at his safety position. Plays like an underclassmen and understands the game well already. He’s one of the top freshman I have seen so far this year, and I have seen the majority of them in person. Look for big things from him as he continues to grow and progress.
Draven VanGilder | 2023 | LB| 5’10” 205 |
Tough playmaker at linebacker for Joplin who averages 16 tackles per game and has 80 overall total tackles so far in 2022 led his team again with 13 on the night.