About

Class 4 District ?

COC Conference

School Colors: Red and White

Head Coach: Doug Buckmaster (64-28, 9th season)

Assistant coaches: Brenden Gubera (OC/OL), Adam Merrell (ST/WR), Brad Hefley (TE/HB), Justice Westerman (RB), Tobin Schultz (DC/OLB), Levi Duley (LB), Chase Johnston (DL), Masen Cook (DB) and Greyson Broce (Tech Dir.)

COACH BUCKMASTER SAYS:

“Every year we ask our players to play hard, play fast and make plays. This year will be no exception, and we hope to again put a football team on the field that is very competitive and fun to watch.”

Five Year Trend (Playoffs)

• 2020: 6-6 (Third Round)
• 2019: 4-6 (First Round)
• 2018: 5-6 (Second Round)
• 2017: 10-2 (Third Round)
• 2016: 9-3 (Third Round)

2020 REVIEW

It was kind of a tale of two seasons for Carl Junction in 2020. They got off to a bit of a slow start, but figured it out and ended the season on a high note. “The best part of last season was finishing 6-6 after a 1-4 start,” coach Buckmaster says. Not only did they finish strong, but they made the district championship game for the third time in the last five seasons. “Playing our conference schedule is always a challenge for us,” Buckmaster adds, “We’re the only class 4 school in a conference made up of class 5 and 6 schools.” The Bulldogs lose some talented guys from last year’s team, including WR Drew Patterson, who is moving on to play at Ottawa University. They also lose QB Alex Baker and Noah Southern to graduation. Baker was one of the best quarterbacks in the area last season and is moving on to play baseball at Missouri Southern, while Noah Southern continues his baseball career at NEO.

RETURNING STARTERS (2020 stats)

LT Darris Hill (Sr) 6’2″, 265 lb

RT Kameron Bennett (Sr) 6’3″, 260 lb

C Ross Craig (Jr) 5’10”, 270 lb

DT Michael Phipps (Sr) 5’9″, 210 lb

DT Donnie Keith (Jr) 6’1″, 290 lb

DE Josh Cory (Sr) 6’2″, 180 lb

OLB Carter Kennedy (Sr) 6’4″, 200 lb

OLB Braxton Dodds (Jr) 6’3″, 190 lb

SCHEDULE:

8/27 vs. Willard

9/3 @ Carthage

9/10 vs. Branson

9/17 @ Joplin

9/24 vs. Webb City

10/1 vs. Neosho

10/8 @ Republic

10/15 vs. Nixa

10/22 @ Ozark

10/29 TBA

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK

This league is really good, and it’s going to be that way again in 2021. Carl Junction’s regular season schedule will once again prepare them to be in a good spot when districts roll around at the end of the year. One of the biggest questions for Carl Junction is at the quarterback spot, where they will have to replace Alex Baker, who was super-productive for the team the last few years. Coach Buckmaster says he’s hoping for a good competition to fill that spot this off-season. “Senior Kyler Perry (5’10”, 160) was a major surprise a year ago in a backup role,” Buckmaster says, “He had a great year as our JV starter. He’s very athletic and has great arm strength for his size. Junior Nathan Planchon (6’0, “170) had a nice season as the backup JV quarterback last year. He is athletic and has improved as a passer each year.” Carl Junction also has sophomore Dexter Merrell (5’9″, 155) in the mix at quarterback. “He is another very athletic QB, who is very exciting in the run game and is developing as a passer.” Buckmaster says the two quarterbacks who don’t end up starting for the Bulldogs will see “considerable” time at the WR position. You will notice above that this team doesn’t have a ton of experience back from last year. “This will be my 9th season at Carl Junction, and we will be the youngest and most inexperienced team I’ve had in those 9 years,” Buckmaster adds, “We do have some very talented players. We finished June with approximately 45 skill position players and 12 offensive and defensive linemen. We were able to return to “two-platooning” a year ago, and this group is making it tough to do so again.” There are some nice players at Carl Junction, and they’re a well-coached team. They play in a tough league, but I expect them to once again be ready to win games when late October/early November hits.