It seems like a recurring theme for the Joplin Eagles over the last half of a decade—replacing collegiate talent that left to graduation.
Of course, if you are replacing talent consistently, that means you consistently have a competitive football team.
“Obviously, we lost some very talented players, good leaders and guys we loved coaching,” Joplin coach Curtis Jasper said. “That having been said, at a Class 6 school you’re going to have a multitude of starters graduating each year. If things are going well, they’re going to be program-impacting players.
“Our job every year is to continue to replace them. And, if they did their job, they leave a legacy—not just in the way they played but with those they played with and led.”
Joplin graduated 10 starters from last year’s team, highlighted by a trio of Division I collegiate departures on the offensive side of the ball—OL Dontrell Holt (Iowa State), TE Whit Hafer (Missouri) and RB Quin Renfro (South Dakota State).
The Eagles also lost their defensive anchor in LB Jonathan Williams, who is playing at DII William Jewell.
“How do we replace them?” Jasper added. “By holding each other accountable, working really hard and doing it as a group.”
Joplin’s spread offense will also have a new man calling the plays after QB Hobbs Gooch graduated. Junior QB Daniel Rose, who saw action in four games last season, and senior Dominic Leesman are currently in a battle for the starting QB spot.
The Eagles return 12 starters and 23 total lettermen from a year ago.
Senior WRs Davin Thomas (first-team all-COC) and Collis Jones highlight the list of returning playmakers for JHS’ offense.
Juniors Isaac Yust and seniors Maruice Clark and Brennen Washington are back to anchor the offensive line along with TE Neil Barstow.
“We have a chance to be really good up front,” Jasper said. “We have three guys coming back, which is a good nucleus…. Offensively, we’ve never been that one-trick pony. We spread the ball around, facilitate and be able to beat teams in different ways. We will continue to be able to do that.”
Defensively, the front seven projects to be the strength for the Eagles’ defense. The defensive line will be anchored by seniors Keshawn Peavler, Josiah Hazlewood, Jakobe Taylor and Barstow. Junior LBs Andrew Snider and David Bhend return as well as Thomas and Jones joining the secondary.
“Defensively, we return some really key pieces,” Jasper said. “We just have to battle and continue to fill out spots. The defense has looked really good at times this summer. We are just working every day for that consistency.”
Joplin is still in the Central Ozark Conference, but the COC looks quite different this football season. The COC West consists of Joplin, Carthage, Webb City, Neosho, Republic and Willard, while the East is made up of Lebanon, Waynesville, Nixa, Ozark, Kickapoo and Glendale.
“I really enjoyed the games in our area just because our kids grew up playing all those kids in youth football and middle school and all that,” Jasper said. “I get why Carl Junction made the decision they made, but I was sad to see that game go for that reason. We get some old matchups from our Ozark Conference days. It’s exciting to get that Kickapoo game back. We’ve always had some huge battles with Lebanon.”
The Eagles open the season on the road with a matchup at Kickapoo.