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Season Preview: Smithville

By Chad Rader, 810 Varsity, 07/17/21, 8:45PM CDT

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Warriors set for another big year in 2021

Smithville has reached new levels in the last few years, reaching the Missouri Class 4 semifinals in two of the last three years. The Warriors may be set up to go another step farther this year.

Smithville returns 21 of 24 starters from a squad that finished 10-3 and lost to Helias in the semis, 13-7, in the final 30 seconds.

>> Smithville team page, schedule <<

“Our confidence and expectations are very high for several reasons,” said head coach Jason Ambroson. “The players have experience on Friday nights, work extremely hard and have great pride in how they do things.”

Most the offense (33.5 pts per game in 2020) returns, including quarterback Andrew Hedgecorth (5-foot-10, 160). The junior threw for 2,309 yards and 25 touchdowns. Senior running back Hayden Sigg (5-foot-11, 190) tallied 1,130 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. On the outside, senior receivers Rhett Foster (6-foot-2, 170) returns as an all-state receiver and multiple NCAA Division II offers after hauling in 769 receiving yards and 12 scores. Senior Keltin Nitsche (6-foot-2, 170; 462 yards, 2 TDs) and senior wingback Sam Calvert (6-0, 175; 414 yards, 7 TDs) provide an experienced corps.

Up front, senior offensive lineman Nicholas Vaccaro (6-foot-1, 215), Tristan Wald and Jacob Lakenburger (6-foot-2, 225) along with junior Tristan Henshaw return. Senior Preston Riddle and junior Jayce Farrell (6-foot-3, 260) also will join the quartet in the trenches.

The defense should be stout again, as the Warriors allowed just 9.2 points per game in 13 contests in 2020. Senior lineman Mason Crim (6-foot-1, 255) notched 14 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Crim will be joined by junior defensive ends Eli Knorr (5-foot-11, 228) and Dawson Strickland (5-foot-11, 170; 24 TFL, 6 sacks) return on the defensive line. Senior defensive ends Aidan Krahn and Jack Alexander also will be key figures up front.

 The linebacker corps returns four starters, led by three-year starter Cody Simoncic (6-foot-3, 200). The senior racked up 116 tackles – 76 solo – along with six tackles for loss and two interceptions. Simoncic will be team with fellow senior Gabe Talley (6-foot-1, 165), who registered 95 tackles, with eight for loss. Juniors Derek Boyd (65 tackles, 7 TFL) and Preston Rash (35 tackles) will also patrol the middle of the defense.  

The secondary also returns three-year starter Noah Riecker (34 tackles, INT) as well as fellow senior Cooper Ezzell (45 tackles) and juniors Caleb Donnell and Ryan Weers (42 tackles).

Returning seniors in kicker Noah Schuetz (41 of 43 PATs) and punter Nitsche (32 yards per punt) will lead the special teams.

Despite the success of last year, Smithville remains focused on the task at hand each week.

“We’ll make sure they remain hungry,” Ambroson stated. “If we can do all the things we’re supposed to, we have a chance of becoming a great team.”

>> Smithville team page, schedule <<

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