In his second year at Blue Springs South, Jon Oyler feels real good about the Jaguars this season. That is, if he can keep the injury bug away.

The Jaguars, who finished 4-6 in Oyler’s first year as head coach at BSSHS, were riddled with injuries in 2016. But Oyler also sees a silver lining in the maligned year that should help the Jags in 2017.

“We lost so many guys due to injury last year,” Oyler recalled. “But because of the injuries and opportunities, we return a lot of players with starting experience.”

Among those will be quarterback Brody Parker, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound senior who passed for 276 yards in limited action last season.

“Brody’s confidence has gone way up this year and looked smoother out there,” Oyler touted. “He’s a tough kid and schools like a Southern Illinois or Army have offered him as a tight end or defensive end. Hopefully after this season, they’ll look at him as a quarterback and he has the opportunity to play quarterback at the next level.”

One of his targets will be one of the area’s top receivers in 6-foot-5 senior Ethan Swanegan. Swanegan hauled in 587 receiving yards and three touchdowns last year, and impressed at the 810 Varsity Combine this past May.

“Ethan runs great routes, has great hands and has impressed with his blocking,” Oyler stated. “He’s way more athletic than last year. He ran a 4.6, which is impressive for his size.”

Also on the outside will be DJ Frost, a 6-foot-2 senior who mustered only four games in 2016 due to injury, but still snared 13 passes for 240 yards and two receiving scores.

Sage Nelson, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior, also will catch balls for the Jags.

“Sage isn’t getting the attention of the other guys, but does some freakish stuff athletically,” Oyler hyped.

In the backfield, junior Austin Terry (5-foot-10, 175) saw action with 254 rushing yards and three touchdowns a year ago. He and junior Dakoda Kenig, a quick 5-foot-8 tailback, will tandem for the running game.

“Dakoda can scoot,” Oyler said. “He’s one of those kids who you can’t believe it, but his eyes and vision and balance are great, and he’s as tough as they get.”

Up front, Blue Springs South features senior left tackle CJ Murray (6-foot-4, 270), junior right tackle Tristan Roper (6-foot-4, 255) at right tackle, senior center Noah Leonard (6-foor-1, 250) along with junior guard Chase Terry (5-foot-10, 200) and senior guard Gaige Pittman (6-0, 250).

On the defensive line, senior Malik Cadenhead (5-foot-11, 275) will anchor at nose guard. Senior Myles Landes (6-foot-2, 195) will line up at one defensive end, while also seeing time on the line will be junior Isaac Pena (6-0, 210) and senior Tillman McClunie (6-foot-2, 195).

Senior Adrian Jones (6-0, 190) returns at linebacker, after being sidelined in Week 4 in 2016. With 9.2 tackles per game, the loss was heavy for BSS, but a welcome return in 2017.

“His injury last year probably hurt us the most of any injury,” Oyler said. “Our defense vastly improves with him in there.”

Also at linebacker will be senior Blayce Tipton (6-0, 180), who notched 58 tackles last year, and junior Skyler Meyers (6-foot-3, 200). Senior Peyton Fansher (6-0, 180) and junior Anthony Orland (6-0, 185) also will patrol at linebacker.

In the secondary, BSS has been impressed with junior cornerback Trey Vaval, who moved to Colorado but returned this year, and is a cousin of current Missouri State wide receiver Rickey Nichols, who started on Blue Springs South’s 2015 state title team.

“We’re real excited to have him back,” Oyler said. “The argument can be made he’s the surprise of the summer.”

On the other side will be seniors Thomas Eutzy (6-0, 165) and Justin Belcher (5-foot-10, 165), who “did a little bit of everything for us last year.”

Seniors Michael Muehlberger (6-0, 180) and Jordan Steele (6-0, 175) will line up at safety. Junior Darrion Booker and senior Tyler Coleman also will man the secondary.

“Our defense has started way ahead of our offense, but with the offensive weapons we have, we feel very confident about both sides of the ball,” Oyler said. “The kids have enjoyed the practices this summer and are excited about this year.”

> Blue Springs South 2017 Football Schedule