MCP Fall Sports Preview

2022

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Thursday, August 25, 2022 McDonald County Press 1C CROWDER.EDU | 417.451.3223 Cassville | Joplin ATTC | McDonald County | Neosho | Nevada | Webb City McDonalD county Press Fall sPorts PreVIeW ANDERSON — Last fall the McDonald County Mustangs turned in the best foot- ball season in school history. This year, the Mustangs return six starters on both sides of the ball, big experience in the trenches and a deter- mination to build on the success that resulted in last year's appearance in the Class 4 District 6 title game and 10-2 over- all record. "I like that they want to continue to raise the bar and not rest on what we've done in the past," said Kellen Hoover, who is starting his sixth year as head coach of the Mustangs. "We take a lot of pride in the steps we've made each and every year, but we want to continue that climb. We don't want to just stay satis- fied with what we've done last year or the year before. We never want to do that. They want to make their own mark." Leading the way will be a group of line- men that should pack a punch on both sides of the line. "We do have a lot of experience, espe- cially in the trenches," Hoover said. "Because of the injury to Danny Grider last year, Jayce Hitt (6-2, 250) was forced into action as a sophomore. And Toby Moore (6-4, 290) started the whole year as a sophomore." Those two, along with senior Ivan Serna (6-4, 265), who started all season at left tackle, should provide a good push on offense when the Mustangs want to run or protection when they want to pass. "With what we do, we try to take what the defense gives us," Hoover said. "We're going to have some options for our quar- terback to get the ball out of an unfavor- able situation." That quarterback will be Destyn Dowd (6-1, 195), who last year gained 580 yards with five touchdowns on 103 carries as a sophomore All-Big 8 running back. He Bennett Horne McDonald County Press bhorne@nwaonline.com Mustangs Ready To Build On Success of Last Season Courtesy of studio 951 PhotograPhy The 2022 McDonald County High School football team poses for a team photo prior to the start of the season. the Mustangs, coming off a 10-2 season, travel to Mount Vernon on friday for their season opener. See FootBall Page 3C

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