Class 2A District 1
Tri Valley League
School Colors: Blue and White
Head Coach: David Gillett (3-15, 3rd season)
Assistant coaches: Chris Hinshaw (DC), Jake Carpenter (OC), Hunter Keith (Strength) and Preston Sharp
“I believe our offensive and defensive lines could be our biggest strength this season. Our biggest challenge will be replacing our QB and our FB from last year, the two most vital parts to last year’s team.”
Last year was the team’s second season under head coach David Gillett. It was hard for them to find their footing with some of the uncertainty surrounding the season due to COVID-19. The team finished with a 2-7 record, however they did finish the regular season by winning two of their last three games. “I feel like our growth continued to show as a program,” Gillett says of last season, “I truly feel we have laid a foundation for great things to happen in the future. The three seniors did so much for us this past season.” Neodesha loses three seniors, including Phoenix Carpenter (Sterling College) who is playing at the next level.
WR Jacksen Adams (Sr) 5’10”, 180 lb
WR/DB Caleb Smith (Sr) 6’2″, 185 lb
OL/DL Cameron Grogan (Sr) 6’0″, 245 lb
OL/DL Gage Bell (Sr) 5’11”, 210 lb – All-District OL
RB/DB Mattix Cole (Jr) 5’10”, 165 lb
OL/DL Andrew Heck (Jr) 6’0″, 210 lb
OL/DL Chad Babcock (Jr) 5’11”, 225 lb – HM All-District DL
WR/DB Jeff White (Jr) 6’0″, 195 lb
DL Valik Boldra (So) 5’10”, 240 lb
WR/DB Wyatt Songer (So) 6’1″, 180 lb
TE/DL Mason Springer (So) 6’2″, 240 lb
LB Holden Smith (Sr) 5’11”, 195 lb
TE/DE Peyton Toms (Sr) 6’2″, 220 lb
WR/DB Garrett Davis (Sr) 6’0″, 180 lb
WR/DB Jesse Mahaffey (Sr) 5’9″, 140 lb
OL/DL Daylan Broderick (Sr) 5’10”, 195 lb
TE/DE Triston Arnold (Sr) 6’4″, 210 lb
OL/DL Riley White (Jr) 6’0″, 250 lb
OL/DL Sam Ortiz (Jr) 5’11”, 245 lb
WR/DB Talon Roebuck (So) 5’8″, 140 lb
TE/LB Collin John (Jr) 5’11”, 170 lb
9/3 vs. Eureka
9/10 @ Caney Valley
9/17 @ Humboldt
9/24 vs. Riverton
10/1 @ Fredonia
10/8 vs. Colgan
10/15 vs. Southeast
10/22 @ Erie
The one thing you can say about Neodesha for sure is that the team has plenty of guys back from last season. That includes lineman Gage Bell, who coach Gillett says he will look to to be the team’s on-field leader in 2021. “Overall, he could be the best we will have,” GIllett says of Bell, “His knowledge for the overall game is great. He knows more than just his position. I’m also looking forward to the overall leadership all of my upperclassmen could have.” I’m expecting Neodesha to be better this season. They’re in their third season under coach Gillett, they have experienced guys back and they don’t have to really worry about the uncertainty of COVID. It’s time to start the climb. “I always have high expectations for my team’s every year,” Gillett says, “The biggest thing I want to see this season is growth every day. If this growth leads to a winning season, a district title and we make the playoffs, our season will be a success.”
