Preseason Preview: Joplin

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles finished the 2022 season 7-3 overall and return a lot of there top talent from last year, along with some young and up and coming talent that looks to have them be a team to watch for in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At Quarterback, the Eagles return on of the top signal-callers in the senior class in <strong>Hobbs Gooch</strong> (6'4" 200). Gooch threw for over 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, and impressed me when I watched him in a thrilling game against Nixa with his arm strength, ability to see the field and make accurate throws. He's a good athlete as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D1 Running back prospect <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='185425' first='Quin' last='Renfro']</strong> (6'0" 190 ) is back for his senior year after rushing for over 1,500 yards and 20 TDs as a junior. The speedy Renfro has committed to South Dakota State. Quin is also a talented receiver and kick returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior speedster <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1117620' first='Davin' last='Thomas']</strong> (5'11" 170 ) is back after earning 1st Team All-Conference, All-District and All-Area honors as a sophomore, hauling in 38 passes for 739 yards and 10 touchdowns for a 19.4 yards per catch average. Senior <strong>Aiden Simpson</strong> (6'1" 165 ) also returns after contributed 11 catches for 122 yards. Mizzou football commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1109266' first='Whit' last='Hafer']</strong> (6'7" 245) also returns for his senior year. Hafer is a great blocker, dangerous red zone target, and runs like a receiver, which helped him average 16.3 yards per catch for 228 yards on 14 receptions. Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='849701' first='Neil' last='Barstow']</strong> (6'2" 220) saw time at tight end as a freshman, and fellow Sophomore <strong>John Jasper </strong>(6'2" 205) . Sophomore <strong>Layne Royle </strong>(5'10" 150) is competing for time at receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Iowa State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='126245' first='Dontrell' last='Holt']</strong> 6'5" 295 is back to lead the offensive line after earning 1st Team All-Conference, All-Dsitrict and 2nd Team All-State as a junior. Senior <strong>Cadyn Taylor-Wise</strong> (6'1" 244) also returns after earning All-Area honors last year. Juniors <strong>Brennan Washington</strong> (6'3" 275), <strong>Justice Rogers</strong> (6'1" 260),<strong> Maurice Clark</strong> (5'10" 267) and sophomore <strong>Isaiah Britt</strong> (6'4" 260) are competing for playing time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defensive lineman <strong>Keshawn Peavler</strong> (5'11" 270) returns after earning 2nd team All-Area last year. Senior DE <strong>Gavin Smith</strong> 6'4" 210 is also back after showing nice flashes as a junior. Washington is also competing for playing time on the D-Line. Senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='130162' first='Brandon' last='Jackson'] Jr.</strong> (5'11" 190) is competing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At linebacker senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275547' first='Jonathan' last='Williams']</strong> (6'1" 215) is back after being 1st Team All-Conference last year, and juniors <strong>Josiah Hazelwood</strong> (6'0" 200) and <strong>Garren Berry</strong> (5'9" 195) are back after lettering last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive backfield will consist of super talented sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='691344' first='Cordell' last='Washington']</strong> ( 6'1" 165) and juniors<strong> Noah Soriano</strong> (6'0" 160) and <strong>Collis Jones</strong> (6'3" 170).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->