Even though Smithville spent last year’s Class 4 state tournament on the outside looking in for the first time since 2019, the Warriors’ white-hot streak of 13-straight winning seasons remains in familiar hands.

Stepping into some sizable shoes after a 9-2 campaign that ended in the District 8 semifinals against eventual Class 4 state champion Kearney, first-year head coach Josh Speer is no stranger to Smithville, working at the high school for the last 15 years.

After winning a state title in 2021 and going 90-19 throughout nine seasons with the Warriors, former coach Jason Ambroson is now behind the wheel at William Jewell, leaving behind a stuffed trophy case for Speer to build on. With nine years as the club's defensive coordinator under his belt, Speer also has a sense of fellowship to work with, as 10 overall starters are returning for the 2024 season.

“We feel really good about our team,” Speer said. “We have had a phenomenal summer. Our kids' energy has been great, and they are locked in. We are not a young team, but we do have a lot of guys without a ton of varsity experience. Our schedule is very competitive week in and week out. We are focused on going out and trying to get a win against a very good Raytown South team in Week 1. With a coaching change, we were still able to keep the core of our coaching staff together. Our kids won’t have to learn new systems or coaches.”

The defense leads the way with six returners and is set to build off another successful season defending the endzone under Speer. Even though the 2023 Warriors’ points allowed per game slash was at its highest peak since 2015’s average of 13.0, the defense still stood tall, giving up just 14.9 ppg. The unit also sealed two shutouts and held opponents to 12 points or less six times. On top of that, the defense never allowed more than 21 points during the team’s eight-game winning streak that lasted from Sept. 8 to Nov.3, igniting that run with a 41-21 win over Kearney.

Spearheading Speer’s 4-3 defense is senior strong safety Roman Roske (5-foot-9, 180), an All-Suburban Blue Second-Team selection who tallied 42 tackles and a team-high four interceptions last season. Next to him is his little brother Lincoln, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound sophomore stepping up at free safety. The Roskes are flanked on the outside by junior cornerbacks Barett Iverson (6-foot-1, 175) and Phillip Downey (5-foot-9, 170).

Another all-conference second-team selection is linebacker Haze Middleton (6-0, 205), a junior who compiled a solid sophomore campaign with 62 tackles and eight tackles for a loss, the most out of all returners. Beside him are seniors Jace Sarrett (5-foot-9, 185; 48 tackles) and Jake Kruse (6-foot-3, 205), a former defensive end moving on up to the next level.

Ascending to the leader of the defensive line is senior Cole Becker, a 6-foot-2, 235-pound tackle who took home all-conference second-team honors last autumn. He’s aided by fellow senior tackle Isaac Yoder (6-foot-4, 260; 31 tackles, five TFLs, one sack), junior end Aiden Robeson (6-foot-1, 210; 28 tackles, six TFLs two sacks) and sophomore end Trevin Nitsche (6-0, 215).

"Our box players are going to be the force of our defense,” Speer predicted. “Those guys are big and physical, with a lot of them having played a lot of varsity minutes.”

The offense returns four starters looking to amplify 2023’s average of 34.7 points per game. In fact, Smithville’s scoring average has maintained a status above 33.4 ppg since 2018. In charge of preserving that precedent is junior quarterback Peyton Steffen (6-foot-1, 185).

Smithville’s new signal-caller won’t be alone in that regard, with all-conference honorable mention running back Austin Clevenger (5-foot-10, 205) returning for his junior year after toting the rock 77 times for 471 yards and six touchdowns. Senior running back Lyndon Russell (5-foot-9, 180) rounds out the backfield and will share snaps after collecting 325 yards and five scores on 62 carries.

Catching passes for Steffen is senior Drake Odneal (6-0, 180; nine receptions, 84 yards), the only returning starter from last season's wide receiver room. He’s complemented by fellow senior receivers Colin Downey (5-foot-9, 170) and Roman Gilchrist (5-foot-9, 170). Sophomore Teegan Chapman (6-foot-1, 205) will chip in for the passing game at tight end.

The offensive line has plenty of leadership returning this fall, with three veterans returning to the trenches. The group is led by Missouri Football Coaches Association All-State Second-Team selection Kolby Harris, a senior guard billed at 6-foot-1, 280 pounds. Joining him are two all-conference honorable mentions – senior tackle Chase Turner (6-foot-3, 245) and junior center Eli Aviles (6-foot-2, 255). The group welcomes Friday night newcomers such as junior guard Kason Wunch (6-0, 295) and junior tackle Luke Bannwarth (6-foot-2, 225).

“The strength of our offense is our offensive line,” Speer said. “We return three of those guys and have added a couple more pieces to go along with them. They are going to take us and keep us in ball games. I believe we will be able to run the football and complement it with our play-action game.”

Speer and the Warriors will test this game plan on August 30 when they open the season at home vs. Class 5’s Raytown South. Smithville holds a six-game winning streak against the Cardinals dating back to 2018, last defeating South in 2023's season opener 28-12 in Raytown. The Class 4 powerhouse packs quite the punch when it comes to Week 1, with Smithville winning its last three Week 1 matchups.

To ensure another season worthy of the Warriors' high standard, Speer looks for his team to take things little by little and bit by bit. If done properly, he believes this season will be a smashing hit.

“The key for us is to just play one play at a time and to play with great energy,” Speer said. “I think this team has some of the best energy that I have seen around here in a long time.”