Preseason Preview: Joplin
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
At Quarterback, the Eagles return on of the top signal-callers in the senior class in Hobbs Gooch (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.
D1 Running back prospect Quin Renfro Quin Renfro 6'0" | 175 lbs | RB Joplin | 2024 State MO (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.
Junior speedster Davin Thomas Davin Thomas 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Joplin | 2025 State MO (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 Aiden Simpson (6’1″ 165 ) also returns after contributed 11 catches for 122 yards. Mizzou football commit Whit Hafer Whit Hafer 6'7" | 245 lbs | TE Joplin | 2024 State MO (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 Neil Barstow Neil Barstow 6'2" | 215 lbs | TE Joplin | 2026 State MO (6’2″ 220) saw time at tight end as a freshman, and fellow Sophomore John Jasper (6’2″ 205) . Sophomore Layne Royle (5’10” 150) is competing for time at receiver.
Iowa State commit Dontrell Holt Dontrell Holt 6'5" | 290 lbs | OL Joplin | 2024 State MO 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 Cadyn Taylor-Wise (6’1″ 244) also returns after earning All-Area honors last year. Juniors Brennan Washington (6’3″ 275), Justice Rogers (6’1″ 260), Maurice Clark (5’10” 267) and sophomore Isaiah Britt (6’4″ 260) are competing for playing time.
Defensive lineman Keshawn Peavler (5’11” 270) returns after earning 2nd team All-Area last year. Senior DE Gavin Smith 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 Brandon Jackson Brandon Jackson 6'0" | 205 lbs | LB Joplin | 2024 MO Jr. (5’11” 190) is competing.
At linebacker senior Jonathan Williams Jonathan Williams 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB Joplin | 2024 State MO (6’1″ 215) is back after being 1st Team All-Conference last year, and juniors Josiah Hazelwood (6’0″ 200) and Garren Berry (5’9″ 195) are back after lettering last year.
The defensive backfield will consist of super talented sophomore Cordell Washington Cordell Washington 5'10" | 160 lbs | DB Joplin | 2026 State MO ( 6’1″ 165) and juniors Noah Soriano (6’0″ 160) and Collis Jones (6’3″ 170).