SWMO "Underrated" Offensive players before week 1

We have finally arrived at week one of the 25-26 Missouri high school football season. This Friday kicks off what we've been waiting for almost 9 months, and I cannot be more excited to see these young men put on a show under the lights on Friday night.   These seven fantastic football players are wide eyed and ready to roll into week one with a point to prove. Looking to light up the scoreboard this 25-26 season, these offensive prospects already proved to be some of the best athletes in Missouri.      Just a big play waiting to happen.   Amaury Powell is one of my favorite studies in the 2026 class of Missouri. Here's a tip, when you watch the Odessa bulldogs on Friday nights get there early, maybe get a bag of popcorn find a seat and do not move until halftime why? Because Powell is a big play waiting to happen. Powell and quarterback Michael Scott have formed a very good tandem, and they air it out vertically every chance that they have.   Powell is one of the best vertical threats in the state of Missouri. Standing at 6'2 weighing 164 pounds he can climb the ladder on deep passes, and he has good body control to track the ball at his highest point to come down with contested passes. He also has a good feel for creating separation within his routes, he is smooth at the top of his routes and getting in and out of his breaks.   Powell is headed for a great senior season; colleges are looking at this young man.      super consistent, and explosive.   There's a special place in my heart for small school prospects. Colton Roark makes the list as one of those close to my heart, he plays like a man amongst boys for the Cassville Wildcats. The offensive gameplan is pretty simple for the wildcats get the ball into Roark's hands as much as possible. Roark runs good routes, usually lining up out wide. One of his more valuable attributes is his run after catch ability, once the ball hits his hands he is off like a light.   Roark also gets the ball on sweeps lining up more like a wing and has a lot of success. He's headed towards his senior year, looking to solidify his spot as one of the best wideouts in the show me state.        Commander and chief of a dominant running attack.   1262 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns on the ground, 448 passing yards, and 3 td's in the air. You didn't read that stat wrong, Mccracken is an absolute unit in the Tigers run-heavy offense. He is a very unique type of QB prospect, a road grading runner that fits perfectly for this type of offense. Preston has a great size and speed, and he uses it to his advantage to keep those chains moving.   He isn't just a good runner; he also throws a pretty good deep ball. Throws on the run look very routine for him because he is so used to using his feet. Week 1 Mccracken takes on the Nixa Eagles and I'm so excited to see him go toe to toe with a very good defense. Preston already holds a baseball scholarship to MSU, but he's such a fun football prospect to watch play.      Tiger is a hard man to bring to the ground.   Built exactly how you want a bell cow running back to be built at 5'10 205 pounds, Tiger displays amazing contact balance, and he makes life extremely difficult for defenses to get him to the ground. He's not only a bruiser but has more than enough speed when he gets into the open field to pull away from some of the faster defensive players. I mean what more can you ask for? Tiger checks all the boxes of what you expect a ball carrier to play like.   Headed into his senior season, Tiger had a monster junior year earning 1st team all-conference RB honors as well as 1st team all-district RB honors. I could even say that this 25-26 football season he could be even better.      A young gunslinger in the making.   The Parkview Vikings could very well be the most improved team in SWMO going into the 25-26 football season, the Vikings roster is stacked in all areas but particularly their QB room is one to marvel at. [player_tooltip player_id='1751458' first='Marcus' last='Grube'] and Willie Otto are both looking to put up big numbers in 2025. Grube has had a great summer off season and has proved that he has a very, very bright future ahead of him. Grube is only a sophomore, and he has more than held his own against much older Quarterbacks in college prospect camps.   Grube throws with precision, and pace that you usually don't see with a young signal caller. He hits hit attended receivers in stride and is never afraid to hang tough in the pocket and deliver passes under pressure.   Admittedly I'm not sure how the Vikings attend to use Otto and Grube in the offense, but I'm definitely intrigued with Grube's abilities going forward.     A developing tight end prospect that's unlocking his potential.   Republic prides itself on being able to control the clock with running the ball down opposing defenses throats. You're not able to do this without having blockers that can some movement up front. Bodoin is one of the top young blocking tight-ends in SWMO. Showing amazing upper body strength Bodoin can instantly get into a defender's frame and control them wherever he wants to go.   I first encountered Bodoin at the SBU camp which is mostly pad less so he had the opportunity show his receiving ability. Bodoin has very good hands that he catches away from his body, he's also 6'4 and knows how to use that to his advantage by shielding smaller defenders away and high pointing the football.   Headed into the 25-26 season Bodoin is only going to improve on his already impressive resume.

We have finally arrived at week one of the 25-26 Missouri high school football season. This Friday kicks off what we've been waiting for almost 9 months, and I cannot be more excited to see these young men put on a show under the lights on Friday night.