About

Class 5 District ?

COC League

School Colors: Red, Columbia Blue and White

Head Coach: John Roderique (298-28, 25th season)

Assistant coaches: Darrel Hicks (DC), Ryan McFarland (OC), Trey Derryberry (DB/ST), Andrew Doennig (OL), Scott Bailey (DL), Mike Smith (OLB,S), Aaron Davied (LB), Aaron Snow (TE), Logan Walker (WR), Tanner Hails (OL/DL), Joseph Decker (WR/LB) and Gavin Clouse (QB)

COACH RODERIQUE SAYS:

“We are replacing many multi-year starters in several positions. That’s a very tough thing to do. We will need to become an experienced team early.”

Five Year Trend (Playoffs)

• 2020: 11-2 (State Semifinals)
• 2019: 14-1 (State Champions)
• 2018: 13-1 (State Semifinals)
• 2017: 15-0 (State Champions)
• 2016: 9-4 (State Quarterfinals)

2020 REVIEW

Webb City was great again in 2020. Their battle against Platte County in the state semifinals was a wildly intense game, one that saw the Cardinals’ season end with a 24-21 loss. “The best part of the season was overcoming a season-opening loss to Joplin to put ourselves in a TIE for the COC conference title,” says head coach John Roderique, “It was also big for us to win a district title and make it to the state semifinals.” That district championship was the 21st consecutive district title for the Cardinals, by the way. Wild, huh? Like every other team in the area, dealing with COVID-19 was also a difficult task for Webb City. “The most challenging thing was that we didn’t know who was goin to show up or be available for practice every day, or who may be playing on Friday,” Roderique adds, “We had to make many adjustments to the roster and depth chart every day and every week.” The bottom line is the same as always. Webb City was good. No doubt one of the best in the state. Without a really great throw from Platte County QB Christopher Ruhnke with about 6 minutes to go in the state semifinals, they would have been been playing for a state championship. That’s high school football. The Cardinals do lose two really great players in running back Devrin Weathers (K-State) and tight end Gary Clinton (Missouri State), who are both moving on to play at the next level.

RETURNING STARTERS (2020 stats)

RB Dupree Jackson (Sr)

WR/DB Cohl Vaden (Sr)

C Buddy Belcher (Sr)

OG Braeden Jackson (Sr)

OLB Brentan Wilson (Sr)

LB Lucas Ott (Jr)

LB Cooper Crouch (Sr)

DT Brody German (Sr)

OTHER KEY RETURNERS

OL/DL Christian Kinney (Sr)

RB Cade Wilson (Sr)

TE Trey Roets (Jr)

OL/DL Angel Valasquez (Sr)

OL/DL Landon Irwin-Zaldivar (Sr)

DL AJ Bash (Jr)

DL Braxton Surber (Sr)

WR/DB Eric Fitch (Sr)

SCHEDULE:

8/27 vs. Joplin

9/3 @ Neosho

9/10 vs. Republic

9/17 @ Carthage

9/24 @ Carl Junction

10/1 vs. Branson

10/8 @ Nixa

10/15 vs. Ozark

10/22 @ Willard

2021 SEASON OUTLOOK

It feels like we get a little repetitive in this section for Webb City. What are we supposed to say? We know they’re going to be good and they’re going have a chance to compete in the state playoffs in November. It will be different seeing this team without Devrin Weathers. He made so many big plays for the Cardinals the last few years and was in our highlights every Friday night. Coach Roderique always says he wants his team to improve every week, from week one to the end of the season. It seems like they always do that, and I expect the same in 2021. There are a few changes to the coaching staff at Webb City. Former Seneca High School head coach Ryan McFarland is joining the staff as offensive coordinator, and former Jeff City/Lamar head coach Scott Bailey is joining the staff to coach the defensive line. It’s a cool opportunity for these players to be coached by some of the best high school football coaches in the state. I can’t wait to see the new players who step up for Webb City in 2021, like they always do. Also looking forward to week one against Joplin and week four against Carthage. I always feel lucky to cover those teams and the COC league. Won’t be any different this season.