Worth County’s football team is starting off 2025 on a mission. Coach Jon Adwell says that this is the fastest team he has ever coached, with eight different players having a 4.8 or better in the 40.
The 50-40 loss to North Shelby, with North Shelby fans celebrating on Worth County’s football field and declaring that it was their house left a bad taste in everyone’s mouths, and the players have been working out hard in the weight room and healing from injuries.
Bo Collins returns from nagging injuries that slowed him down last year and will play at end again after playing on the line last year. That will serve as a matchup nightmare that the Tigers did not have the luxury of using last year. Ethan Lininger returns at center and Ryder Smyser and Sawyer Thurman will fill in at guard. At the other end will be either Jude Archer or Brayden Stevens.
Among the most improved players this year include Ryder Smyser, who worked with the first unit on both offense and defense Thursday. Hayden Sanders returns at quarterback, while Brayden Stevens, Jude Archer, and Cole Ruby will play in the backfield. Brayden Combs, back from a knee injury from last year, will compete for time as a receiver, especially after beating Bo Collins down the field on one long pass play.
Smyser and Collins will anchor the defensive end positions. Ethan Lininger will be a nose tackle. Sawyer Thurman will return on the defensive end, as will Jude Archer. Another candidate for most improved from last year was Brayden Murphy, who played nose with the second team, but moved up and down the line and regularly blew up plays. Reyen Hansen could figure into the rotation; he shot out of nowhere to blow up a play Thursday. Dylan Smith showed the ability to come up and make stops from the linebacker slot. Caleb New, out the whole year with an injury last year and a third stringer as a freshman, has come back hungry this year. He has a high sports IQ for every sport he plays, and it’s already showing on the football field this year.
In contrast to many teams in the area battling declining numbers, numbers are up for the football team this year, with 30 out. Seven of them are from Northeast Nodaway.
Cole Ruby will be one player to watch for the Tigers. Already one of the fastest players on the team last year, he increased his speed this year while putting on 30 pounds, which will make him much harder to tackle this year. He broke three big runs in Thursday’s practice. Lucas Frisch is healthy this year after starting off last year with a broken hand; he combines power and speed in the backfield, is a reliable blocker, and is always a threat to break a long one. On defense, he will continue to be a force.
A big freshman contingent will be counted on to push the starters to their limit. They played on the undefeated junior high squad from last year, and are seeking to step up this year. Brock Healy will serve as a backup quarterback, following in his dad’s footsteps, with Hayden Sanders showing him the ropes. Brayden Stevens can also play quarterback if necessary. Jordan Dannar, Jace Burns, Wyatt Scadden, Bentin Roberts, Liam Cordell, Xander Bodle, and others will be stepping up with the varsity team as well.
There will be several teams in the way of a return to state. The Tigers will know right away if they are any good or not, as Rock Port comes to town on week one. They have been touted as a team to beat along with the Tigers and Archie. South Holt normally gives Worth County problems, and the Tigers will travel there on week two. Albany returns Elliot Mercer and a big line, while King City returns almost everybody from last year. Pattonsburg could surprise some people, as they had a good off-season, including a good trip to Missouri Western’s football camp. If Wyatt Maize stays healthy, they could beat anyone on a given night; they threw a scare into Rock Port and led South Holt before he went down for the year (knee). Appleton City could be a new football power, as they are well-disciplined, have a huge line, and a prize runningback. North Shelby will be looking to take care of unfinished business as they fell just short in the title game against Archie. Platte Valley, with their huge line, could pose a problem in districts with Dallas Giedd promoted to head coach and Jordan Jenkins providing instant help with line play after coming over from Pattonsburg.
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