12 starters return from team that played for district title

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

With a dozen starters returning to the fold, the Cassville football team is looking to return to being a district title holder.

Cassville enters the season with a veteran core, a challenging schedule and an emphasis on improving each week. The Wildcats return 12 starters and 19 lettermen from last year’s 8-4 team, which finished tied for second in the Big 8 Conference and reached the Class 3, District 6 championship game. 

Cassville opened last season 1-3 before winning seven consecutive games and advancing to the title bout, where it fell to Seneca, which went on to win the Class 3 state championship. Cassville defeated Reeds Spring 52-0 and Mount Vernon 27-14 in their first two district games.

“Our goal as a team is to get better as the season progresses,” said Clay Weldy, head coach. “We want to see improvements each week of the season. We want to be playing our best football when districts begin.”

Cassville’s experience is spread across both sides of the ball, giving the Wildcats a foundation to build around after losing 10 starters and 12 lettermen.

The Wildcats return their starting quarterback, three running backs, two offensive linemen, a tight end and several wide receivers. Weldy said those returners will form the core of the offense.

Jaren Stearns returns for his senior season after starting under center last year.

“Jaren did an outstanding job running our offense,” Weldy said. “We will need him to continue to progress and have a big senior year for us.”

Stearns earned All-District honors at quarterback and was an honorable mention All-Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association selection.

Behind him, Cassville returns several experienced players capable of carrying a significant workload.

Kamden Beebe, a senior running back, defensive back and returner, earned first-team All-State and first-team All-Conference honors as a returner last season. He also was named All-District and first-team All-SWFBCA as a returner, while earning second-team All-Conference honors at running back and honorable mention All-SWFBCA recognition at the position.

“Kamden had a huge year for us on special teams; he also was explosive for us on offense at running back,” Weldy said. “We are hoping he is explosive for us again on offense and special teams.”

Easton Hughes also returns as a senior after starting at linebacker and running back the previous two seasons. Hughes earned second-team All-Conference and All-District honors at linebacker, along with second-team All-SWFBCA recognition.

“He’s been a major contributor on both sides of the ball for us, and will need to be a leader for us this season,” Weldy said.

Masin Bryan, another senior running back and linebacker, has been a two-year starter at linebacker and started at running back last season.

“Masin had a good off season gaining some strength in the weight room, and we are hoping it pays off this fall,” Weldy said.

The offensive line will feature experienced players including seniors Jayce Magula, Harley Madison and Izaak Henbest, along with juniors and other returning players.

“Jayce started for us at tackle his sophomore and junior years,” Weldy said. “He has grown a lot this offseason and we are hoping he’s leader for us upfront this season. Harley has been a two-year starter for us at tackle. We need him to be a leader up front for us.”

Magula was a second-team All-Conference offensive lineman and honorable mention All-SWFBCA selection last season.

Cassville also returns senior wide receiver and defensive back Carlos Barrientos, junior wide receiver and defensive back Mace Bredeson and several other players who will compete for roles in the passing game.

“Carlos has started at defensive back the last two years and started for us at wide receiver, as well,” Weldy said. “He has a really good frame, and we are hoping he has big year for us. Mace had a really good sophomore year at wide receiver for us and he played some defensive back for us as well,” Weldy said. “We need him to be a big play guy again for us this year.”

On defense, the Wildcats return three defensive linemen who started at some point last season, two linebackers and two players with significant experience in the secondary.

““These returners will be the strength of our defense,” Weldy said.

Van Thang, a junior defensive lineman, was an honorable mention All-Conference selection last season. He played throughout the defensive line last year despite being undersized and enters this season with added size.

“Van played all over the place for us on the defensive line last year,” Weldy said. “He was very undersized but had success with quickness and tenacity. He has put on some solid muscle in the offseason and we are excited to see what he does this season.”

Ricky Norris, a senior defensive lineman, has started the past two seasons at defensive tackle.

“Ricky is a high motor kid, and we need him to continue to make plays for us down in the trenches,” Weldy said.

Zach Myers, a junior tight end and defensive lineman, also brings two years of starting experience at defensive end and several starts at tight end.

“We think he has the potential to be a really good player for us the next two years,” Weldy said.

The Wildcats also return Hughes and Bryan on defense, senior linebacker and wide receiver Baxton Cornell, and additional experienced players across the starting 11.

Preston Driskill returns as a junior kicker after earning second-team All-Conference and second-team All-SWFBCA honors last season.

Cassville will also have several newcomers competing for playing time, including juniors Braydyn Sizemore, Brody Howell, Carson Hutchens, Carson Thomas and Brandt Reuter, along with sophomores Brody Moller, Bodie Hodge, Josiah Meshell, Mquade Farris, Wylan Farris, Spencer Drollinger, Jayden Ritchie, Tyler Annecharico, Kanaan Madison and Cash Smith.

Among the newcomers are several players who could add depth throughout the roster, with positions represented across the offensive and defensive lines, backfield, receiving corps, secondary and quarterback.

The Wildcats’ roster also includes several family connections. Mquade and Wylan Farris are twin brothers, Jaren and Kaden Stearns are brothers, and Kellen Weldy is the coach’s son.

Cassville will face a schedule that includes all of its Big 8 opponents, along with Springfield Central.

“We play in the Big 8, so everyone is a rival and every game is a big game,” Weldy said. “However, our game with Monett has a traveling trophy and is called the Barry County Brawl so there’s always a little extra for that game.”

The Barry County Brawl will open the regular season Aug. 28 at Wildcat Stadium. Cassville will then travel to Aurora on Sept. 4 before hosting Seneca on Sept. 11. 

Cassville travels to McDonald County on Sept. 18 and East Newton on Sept. 24, then hosts Lamar on Oct. 2 and Springfield Central on Oct. 9. The regular season concludes with road games at Mount Vernon on Oct. 17 and Nevada on Oct. 23.

The schedule also includes a jamboree with Willard, Parkview and Bolivar on Aug. 21 at Willard.

Cassville’s returning players will be counted on to provide leadership, particularly the seniors who have already established themselves on both sides of the ball.

Cassville won two state championships, in 2008 and 2009, finished state runner-up in 2019 and reached the state semifinals in 2020.

After reaching the district championship game last year, for the first time since winning it in 2020, the Wildcats will look to use their returning experience to make another postseason push. Yet, the Wildcats’ stated focus for 2026 is progression rather than looking too far ahead.

“We want to see improvements each week of the season,” Weldy said. “We want to be playing our best football when districts begin.”