Autumn example 2020: Joplin Football

By Jordan Burton (for OzarksSportsZone.com)

The 2019 season for Joplin is one that will not be forgotten.

After facing an early setback, the death of sophomore Kadin Roberts-Day, the Eagles rallied as a community and progressed to the Class 6 state championship after an unbeaten regular season.

“Last year was very special,” said Curtis Jasper, Joplin head coach. “We had been building with previous senior lessons for a while, and last year’s seniors continued to build on the foundation we were trying to develop. Each year’s group is special in its own way. Our goal of a state championship fell short, but we played every game we could last season and that was a great feeling. We had many challenges in our path by removing major injuries to Carthage and Davis Ramsey from the state championship. More importantly, passing on and overcoming a teammate’s death is something that will not be forgotten. There are tough times every season, but the leadership of our senior group, our coaching staff and several others made the team stand out and play for a purpose so much bigger than themselves. ”

Now, in Jasper’s sixth year with the program, the Eagles will strive to build on a run that has seen backbone double digit winter seasons and district championships.

Joplin will look for its fourth straight season above .500, but it will do so without the presence of all-time greats Isaiah Davis, Zach Westmoreland and Blake Tash. Davis, the Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year 2019, Westmoreland, the leader of the all-purpose yards in the past three seasons and Tash, the country’s leader in career transition rates, helped to continue the tradition of Joplin Football to recover.

All three will continue to play on Saturday, but that will not change the way Joplin attacks the defense on Friday night, aiming to build on their 47 points per game in 2019.

“We remain a diversified team that uses the zone run game in conjunction with RPOs,” said Jasper. “It will look different by not having their bodies on the field, but I expect others to play their part.”

But the closet isn’t nearly as bare-bones as some will thank, and a lion’s share of the offensive workload is due to senior Nathan Glades.

Glades has been a handyman for Joplin over the past two seasons, reaching 1,169 yards and 551 receiving yards with a total of 16 touchdowns. Every time he touches the ball, he poses a touchdown threat.

“I expect Nathan to remain tough and an incredible competitor,” said Jasper. “We will continue to try to create wrong combinations with him, as we have done in the past.”

Seniors Trayshawn Thomas (19 receptions, 199 meters in 2019) and Keaton Renfro (12 receptions, 185 meters in 2019) will take the recipient places after seeing a large number of snaps as juniors. Jasper believes that both players can be game makers.

Seniors Alex Curry, Sergio Pineiro and Davis Ramsey will be one of the most attacking units of the COC. Curry, which stands at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, was an All-COC, All-Area, and All-State choice. The 6-foot-3,250-pound Pineiro was also an All-COC and All-Area selection.

Junior Tylor Peck is one of my names that could fill the unit.

Those who take the helm under the leadership of Blake Tash come to a position fight between juniors Always Wright and Joe Jasper, with a few underclasses in the mix.

Wright is also a standout basketball star and receives interest from Division One for his hardwood talents.

Coach Jasper believes both have the tools to be effective in his high octane attack.

“Always and Joe are the front runners competing for the QB spot,” said Jasper. “We have others who can run too. We haven’t been on the field yet due to COVID, so this is based on what we expect to see. Is always very mobile. It is handy in the pocket and it can touch the ball very well. Joe is physically and mentally strong with a strong arm. He is a gym rat who likes to work hard and prepare for the next challenge. ”

Joplin will look different defensively, but also give a lot back on that side of the ball.

Senior Scott Lowe and junior Donovahn Watkins were All-COC selections on linebacker and defensive tackle, respectively.

Senior Jacob Prosser returns to his defensive finish, classmates Marcelino Puente, Dominick Simmons Jayden Holt returns to the back seven.

Junior Lonnie Watkins also returns on defense.

Senior Trayquan Peavler and juniors Landen Atherton, Bruce Wilbert, Hayden Presley and Korey Read were all able to see the time on both sides of the ball.

There is no doubt that Joplin will look different on the field, but the Eagles are quietly still one of the top teams in the Ozarks, willing to compete for conference and district championships.

“We will have to let playmakers act if there are no graduates. We will have to remain excellent in the offensive line and play defensively fast and fearless. ”

Joplin opens the 2020 season on August 28 at home against Webb City.

People-Tag: Alex Curry, Always Wright, Blake Tash, Bruce Wilbert, Curtis Jasper, Davis Ramsey, Dominick Simmons Jayden Holt, Donovahn Watkins, Hayden Presley, Isaiah Davis, Jacob Prosser, Joe Jasper, Joplin, Kadin Roberts, Keaton, Korey Read, Landen Atherton Lonnie Watkins, Marcelino Puente, Nathan Glades, Scott Lowe, Sergio Pineiro, Thomas, Trayquan Peavler, Tylor Peck, Wright, Zach Westmoreland