Cassville returning multiple players at linebacker, defensive back

BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

The Cassville football team will bring back a decent amount of experience, skill and leadership to its linebacker and defensive back positions this season, aiming to enforce the traditionally physical brand of Wildcat defense.

Lining up for Cassville at linebacker this summer are: seniors Trevis Moore, Tristan Thompson, Jadon Castleberry and Vynnie Arguelles; juniors Masin Bryan, Baxton Cornell and Easton Hughes; sophomores Carson Hutchens, Logan Parsons and Braydyn Sizemore; and freshmen Jayden Ritchie, Spencer Drollinger, Mquade Farris and Dylan Sorensen.

Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said expectations for linebackers are simple. “You have to be a good tackler and be physical,” he said. “When you’re in the box, you’ve got to come down and stop the run, and obviously help in the passing game. If our linebackers can stop the run, that can make the other team one-dimensional and help our defense.”

Thompson, Bryan and Hughes all bring back experience at the position, which Weldy hopes will pay dividends.

“Tristan started for us last year and was voted team captain, so he will likely be the leader of our defense,” Weldy said. “Easton was All-Conference as a sophomore, and he has been good and physical this summer. Masin started some in 2023 as a freshman and got injured last year but is healthy now. We are excited about him.”

Covering the wide and deep areas of the field will be another set of experienced returners. working at corner and safety are: Seniors Chance Freed, Andon Goutney and Colton Roark; juniors Kaleb Artherton, Carlos Barrientos, Kamden Beebe, Chase Ruark and Jaren Stearns; sophomores Mace Bredeson, Brandt Reuter and Michael Winchell; and freshmen Hudson Gwinup, Bodie Hodge, Hayden Jereczek, Gavin Koehler, Wesley Lowery, Auden Mizer, Cash Smith and Kellen Weldy.

“Our defensive backs have got to be able to have good feet, be able to defend the pass and be able to come downhill and help in the run game when needed,” Weldy said. “They also have to be sure tacklers, because a lot of times, they are tackling out in space, and a missed tackle could mean a touchdown.

“There is also a lot of communication on the back end of the defense, so they have to be good communicators.”

Weldy said Roark is a returning All-Conference corner, and Goutney started in many games last season.

“Carlos is returning at safety, and Chance and Kamden got a lot of playing time, too,” Weldy said. “We have a lot of guys coming back with experience.”

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