For the first time since the 2022 season, the Cassville football team will have a new signal caller under center.

Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said six total Wildcats are working in the position this summer following losing three-year starter Bodee Rose to graduation. Getting reps ahead of the 2025 season are: seniors Tristan Thompson and Colton Roark, juniors Jaren Stearns and Kaleb Artherton, and freshmen Bodie Hodge and Wylan Farris.

“Tristan has good leadership qualities and is a tough kid who works hard,” Weldy said. “He’s been a starting linebacker the last two years, and his best trait is his toughness. Jaren has played quarterback before [on younger teams] and throws the ball well and makes good decisions in the option game. Kaleb is the same. He can throw well and makes good decisions.

“Colt is a good athlete and can do a lot of things. He’s been getting some reps for emergency situations and will primarily be at receiver or in the backfield. Both of our freshmen are athletic and can throw the ball well. It’s tough to see their decision-making process in practice, but they should be good at the freshman level.”

Weldy said with the starting position up for grabs, there are a few main skills the eventual starter should have.

“In quarterbacks, we look for good feet, the ability to run our offense, the ability to throw the football and the ability to manage the backfield,” Weldy said. “Decision-making and toughness are also key. You have to be tough because we carry the ball with our quarterback.”

Weldy said ultimately, the starter will wind up being who fits into the team best.

“It’s about the best fit for the team and what kid can make good decisions and be tough, too,” he said. “A lot of that is based on reps in practice, where we’re working the option and passing. We explain to them the reads, and then they get reps. Some kids get playing quarterback right away, others take a little while and some just never get it.

“We try to keep it simple, but we do go harder in practice so it’s easier in games.”

Weldy said although none of the current quarterback prospects have played many varsity minutes at quarterback, they are all well-versed in the Wildcats’ plays.

“They don’t have the game experience, but we’ve been working them in practice for a while, and all have experience with the playbook,” he said. “We try to give them as many reps as possible. We’ll have some options in the jamboree, then once we get in games, we’ll see what happens.

“They work hard, and you can’t replace experience, but we’ve had quarterbacks come in at Cassville and play for one year, and you wouldn’t know it because they played so well. These guys’ other knowledge of the game and our playbook will help them transition.”

Publisher’s Note: This story is the first in a five-part series running July 23 through Aug. 20 breaking down the 2024 Cassville football team by position groups.