Pre-Season Preview: De Smet Spartans

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans are coming off a 10-2 season and just barely missing playing in the Class 5 championship game. The return a nice group of talented players from last season's team, along with one of the best incoming freshman classes in the state, and a few talented transfers who should make an impact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior QB [player_tooltip player_id='285140' first='Dillon' last='Duff'] (6'2" 195) returns after a stellar junior season where he threw for over 1,800 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 595 yards and 8 more scores. The Kansas State commit can make all the throws with laser precision and is athletic enough to make teams pay with his legs. He has good speed and break off long runs for the score. He sees the field well and makes good decision and displays good leadership. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior RB [player_tooltip player_id='849700' first='Jayden' last='McCaster'] (5'9" 185) is back for his junior year after being the Spartans second leading rusher with 611 yards and leading scorer on the ground with 9 touchdowns on 107 carries. Jayden is a tough runner between the tackles, and has enough wiggle and burst to run between the tackles or run outside to break runs. He's also a good blocker. <br>Sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1667934' first='Kameron' last='Garrett'] </strong>(5'8" 160) had a good offseason and was impressive in summer camps and scrimmages I watched. Garrett is a speedy back who is tough to catch in the open field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Leading receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1124869' first='Nathan' last='Hatcher'] (5'10" 165) is back for his senior season. Hatcher caught 30 passes for 529 yards and 5 touchdowns as a junior. 2026 Mascoutah (IL) transfer Wyatt Stolz (6'1" 175) had over 400 yards receiving and 3 TDs last season and has good speed. Lindbergh sophomore transfer [player_tooltip player_id='1325180' first='Bryce' last='Kenner'] (6'1" 175) is a promising young receiver, and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1287869' first='Cash' last='Lucious'] (6'2" 175) is part of a very talent group of 2028 receivers the Spartans will be able to rely on in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>The Spartans have the best group of Tight Ends you will find on the high school level with Northern Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id='374501' first='Liam' last='Russo'] (6'6" 225), Quincy University commit [player_tooltip player_id='1118579' first='Zayne' last='Schellenger'] (6'6" 225), both seniors, junior <strong>Luke Markway</strong> (6'2" 195) and freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1294184' first='Ridge' last='Janes'] (6'5" 225) who has already picked up a couple of D1 offers before playing a down of high school ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive line is big, experienced and full of college prospects. Seniors Mike Cunningham (6'3" 291) and [player_tooltip player_id='1124865' first='Hudson' last='Brewer'] (6'2" 290) are both committed to Southeast Missouri. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='278903' first='Dayne' last='Schellenger'] (6'6" 300) is committed to Quincy University. Senior <strong>Sam Robinson</strong> (6'4" 265), Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1129720' first='Santiago' last='Castillo'] (6'6" 290) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1188332' first='Ben' last='Scorfina'] (6'0" 255) round out the O-line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive line is one of the best in the state with heavily recruited junior DE [player_tooltip player_id='1112565' first='Titan' last='Davis'] (6'5" 245), Central Michigan commit and senior DE [player_tooltip player_id='1123367' first='Quincy' last='Byas'] (6'2" 220) returning, and Ft. Madison (IA) transfer <strong>Cory Arnett</strong> (6'3" 265) leading the way and being joined by 2026 DE Jack Hente (6'2" 225) and 2027 NG [player_tooltip player_id='1188331' first='Ben' last='Higgins'] (6'0" 250).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Missouri commit [player_tooltip player_id='285142' first='Jason' last='King'] (6'2" 220) leads the LB corps entering his senior season and being a four year veteran of the position and Spartan defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The defensive backfield is also talented and features college prospects [player_tooltip player_id='328985' first='Josiah' last='Houston'] (5'9" 160), S [player_tooltip player_id='1125478' first='Trevon' last='Collard'] (6'2" 180), [player_tooltip player_id='1130073' first='Amari' last='Williams'] (5'11" 175) and <strong>Caynan Patterson</strong> (5'10" 160) who return from last year's team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->