Wildcats’ offensive, defensive lines larger than last year

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Size is not everything when it comes to offensive and defensive lines, but being bigger overall than last year won’t hurt the Cassville football team.

Clay Weldy, Wildcats coach, said Cassville returns a fair amount of experience to the line groups, which he considers the most important on the team.

“We will only be as good as our line is,” he said. “We take a lot of pride in that group and our progress through the years.”

Offensive linemen, who can also play on the defensive line, include: seniors Wesley Garner, Gunnar Knight, Isaac Luney, Chase Reazin, Ethan Sizemore and Logan Williams; juniors Zander Easley, Isaac Henbest, Brody Howell, Harley Madison, Chase Magula and Ricky Norris; sophomores Brylar Beranek, Wyatt Hollingsworth and Carson Thomas; and freshmen Tyler Annecharico, Tyler Hodge, Anthony Mercier, Josiah Meshell, Matthew Miller and Brody Moller.

“The big thing with this group is we are returning some linemen that played last year or as sophomores, so we have that 2-3 years of experience,” Weldy said. “We haven’t had a veteran group up front like this in a while.”

Weldy said offensively, continuity and teamwork is a key factor for linemen, as they must be able to communicate and handle scheme changes based on other teams’ defenses.

“One of them being off will throw the whole group off,” Weldy said. “This group has to work together, be tough, be quick off the ball and be smart. They also have to be strong and physical, and good footwork is required for any position on the team.

“Linemen have to be team-first and selfless, and they have to be hard workers, because the most important position group is offensive line.”

Weldy said with multiple players over 6 feet tall — Williams the biggest at 6-7 — the boost in overall size is welcomed.

“We also have some 5-10, 260-pound guys too,” he said. “I think we’ll stack up better physically in the Big 8 this year, but we still have to win those wars in the trenches.”

Flanking the offensive line will be a handful of tight ends, including: senior Trevis Moore; junior Eli Anders; sophomores Zach Myers and Van Thang; and freshman Kanaan Madison.

“Trevis played quite a bit of tight end last year, and Zach was a starter defensively, so he has game experience but not at tight end,” Weldy said. “Van played on the defensive line in some games last year, and Eli just switched this summer from wide receiver to tight end.”

Weldy said tight ends are frequently on the line and required to block, but the best players at the position will give the Wildcats options.

“At times, we move them out of the box to wide receiver, so they have to be smart when schemes change,” he said. “And, if they can catch a ball on a route, that’s an extra plus.”

On the other side of the ball, Weldy said defensive line players include all offensive linemen mentioned, as well as: seniors Trevor Brookes and Sky Yang, Thang and Myers.

“These are guys who have to be tough and, at times, willing to sacrifice for the team,” Weldy said. “Like, if a lineman takes on a double team, that can free up a defensive back. Defensive linemen have to be team-oriented and selfless.

“Everything starts up front in the trenches, and it’s important to our success what our guys up front can do.”

Publisher’s Note: This story is the third in a five-part series running July 23 through Aug. 20 breaking down the 2025 Cassville football team by position groups.