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Season Preview: Blue Springs

By Chad Rader, 810 Varsity, 07/29/21, 10:00AM CDT

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Wildcats ready in White's second year at BSHS

>> Wildcats team page, schedule <<

One season looks to make a huge difference for Kevin White and Blue Springs.

A year after barely learning the hallways of Blue Springs High, and the kids names, White feels better in leading the Wildcats football program. With COVID preventing much of any activities last summer, White – who replaced long-time head coach Kelly Donohoe of 20 years – faced an uphill battle on many fronts.

“A year ago, we hadn’t pickup up a football at this point and didn’t have a team meeting until game day,” White recalled. “Everyone else was in the same boat too, but I was replacing (Donohoe) and everyone used to others and things around here for 20 years.”

But now a year later, White – who coached previously in Mississippi and also Bishop Gorman in Nevada - feels much more comfortable with things top to bottom.

“It’s been better in many facets, especially the relationships with the kids and everyone,” White stated. “Now we’ll keep getting better and be ready on August 27.”

The opener on August 27 could be a big turning point for Blue Springs, 5-6 a year ago but losing in the playoffs, 31-28, at Liberty in the playoffs. Now the Wildcats open right where they left off – at Liberty.

“There doesn’t need to be a big speech for that game. We play the guys who knocked us out last year,” White touted.

Blue Springs will see a couple of new faces at quarterback, with sophomore Sal Caldarella (5-foot-11, 155), junior Hayden Harris (6-foot-1, 175) and junior Kaden Lutjen-Williams (5-foot-10, 175) in the mix. Caldarella looks like the frontrunner in the battle for the starting nod.

“I’m not certain the last time a sophomore started at Blue Springs, but he’s got big upside,” White heralded. “He has savviness and calmness back there, which is huge because you can’t have a guy with happy feet or all over mentally. He’s still a sophomore, so its good to have a number two plan with Hayden and Kaden.”

The Wildcats will bring back more seasoned vets at running back, as Mana Tapusoa rushed for 458 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2020. The 5-foot-10, 185 junior already holds an offer from Nevada. Also in the backfield will be senior Kyle Bruce (5-foot-7, 170) and senior Calvin Griffin, who sat out with an ACL injury last year.

“These three guys can be diverse for sure,” White said. “They’re good leaders and great in the lockerroom.”

Up front, senior Preston Mehl (6-foot-2, 260) returns at center joins senior guard Donnie Romero (5-foot-11, 250), who “is going to the Marines and is a gritty, tough dude.” Senior Kaeden Langmack (6-foot-8, 300) emerges for his senior year at tackle. “Kaeden’s learning how to play, but brings size and wants to be really good.”

Alongside the offensive line, junior Eli Youman (6-foot-5, 230) will rotate at tight end with Ike Ezeogu. On the outside, seniors Dalesean Staley (153 yards, TD in 2020) and Jaxson McIntyre (100 yards, TD) return at wide receiver.

On the defensive side, Iowa State commit Ezeogu (6-foot-5, 210) leads the charge at defensive end. Romero also will line up on the defensive line. Tapusoa will notch tackles at linebacker, though the Wildcats suffered a major blow as Iowa State commit in senior linebacker Carson Willich suffered an ACL injury earlier in the summer and is hopeful to return in mid-October.

“He doesn’t miss a practice, watching his teammates,” White touted.

In the secondary, Staley returns at safety, the position he looks to play next year as a commit to Northern Iowa.

Also leading the defense is the addition of former Blue Springs star Keeston Terry as defensive coordinator.

Overall, the Suburban Gold will be rugged week-in and week-out for all teams, including Blue Springs.

“There used to be just four or five conference games in this league, where you could schedule some lighter non-conference opponents,” White said. “But now with eight tough teams in the league, there aren’t any off nights."

>> Wildcats team page, schedule <<

(Cover photo: David Rainey)

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