The Annual Athletes U Branson Team Camp is in the Books for the year.  And needless to say, It was a hot one.  As could be expected, I pretty much followed Reeds Spring, but did get a few glimpses of some of the other teams… A few thoughts…

1.  Saw a lot of good… and saw some things that will need to be worked on.
2.   Thought the Wolves offensive sync got better as the day went along.
3.   The Wolves backfield can flat out motor
4.   Keenan Haynes could be in for a HUGE year from his new fullback spot.
5.   Offensive line has the ability to be very good… they just have to do it consistently.
6.   Both QBs showed glimpses as well.  For them its a matter of getting more reps…. The more snaps they get then more comfortable they will get.
7.  Defense showed some glimpses as well.
8.  When they get properly aligned, follow assignment and fly to the ball they can be very good.  And, I think we will see that more than not.

Got to see just a little bit of Branson.  Still looks good in the pocket.  Throws a nice ball.  And has receivers that can go get it…

It was good to see Forsyth there competing on the JV level.  The Panthers seemed to have a little success.  Look forward to eventually seeing them on Friday Nights…

The Hollister Tigers were taking part in a camp up at Evangel U in Springfield.

The team that probably impressed me the most was Lutheran North.  They were big and very fast.  They are as athletic team as you will see on most any high school level.  They are going to be a handful this year.  Blair Oaks will be another team to watch.

Overall a very good camp despite the heat.  Teams will now go through a “dead week” where they cant have contact with coaches.  Then its right to August drills.  Jamborees are the 12th and we tee it up for real on Aug 19th….  Folks get ready,, Football season is almost here.

 

 

What is the saying?  All Good things must end?  This Friday will mark the end of a tradition in Ozark Mountain Country.  The Steve and Janet Show will sign off of the final time.

For 22 years Branson area folks have been waking up to Steve Willoughby and Janet Ellis on KRZK.  They have kept us entertained and informed.  They have laughed with us and yes, even cried with us.  They have been on the air during triumph and tragedy in our area and our country.  Branson has seen a lot of changes in the last 2 plus decades.  But, one constant has been Steve and Janet.

Janet was new to radio when she started at the radio station.  She had spent the media portion of her career in television.  And, not always in Continue reading “An Ozarks Legend to say Goodbye”

Stopped by practice at Hollister for a  few minutes this morning.  It was the first time I have had a chance to see the Tigers in action on their new turf field.

The Tigers have had camp all week in preparation for the season that starts five weeks from tonight.  Coach Jacob Hamon reports that the group has been working hard and have done a nice job of picking up the new offense.  It has not been the greatest of circumstances at Hollister, with the shakeup in duties of his assistants, but He feels that they have adapted well.  (Calvin Thomas was expected to be the Offensive Coordinator, but with his legal issues, Robbie Teaster will fill that role with the help of Mark Elliott. )

The Tigers will have a little more experience on the field this season as they return a big group of players that got a lot of quality playing time last year.  I will have a lot more in depth look at the Tigers in my preview coming in the next few weeks.

Hollister will continue camp next week before ending with a one day Full Contact team camp at Evangel University in Springfield.   The Tigers will take part in their annual Jamboree on Aug 12^th and will strap up the helmets and take on Pleasant Hope August 19, in week one of the season.

Got to spend this morning at Reeds Spring Football Camp.  It was Day One of camp for the 2016 version of the Wolves.

As expected a lot of familiar faces along with learning some new names.  Well, new names and new numbers.  It only took once of seeing Korey Robinette flash that speed for me to know that #5 was not a new guy.

First group offense looked to be in pretty good form.  JP Gardner was taking snaps as expected.  Will write a full preview later in the pre-season but one thing you will hear time and time again with this backfield is that they have speed to burn.

There will no doubt be some position battles on the defensive side of the ball, but it really looks like they have a good group of talent to pick from.  And, with four linebacker spots open, they will need that depth.

The new field is remarkable.  It does radiate heat.  Hydration is always important, and never more than now.

They were working on the installation of the new scoreboard when I left this morning…. Its going to be quite a site when done.

Less than six weeks until Week One.

We are just over six weeks away from the opening week of the high school football season.  And it will be a noticeably different look when attending games around the tri-lakes this season.

Both Reeds Spring and Hollister installed Artificial Turf in the off-season.  They join Branson and Forsyth which went to the “fake stuff” a few years ago.  And, what a welcome addition it is for both.. Continue reading “Great New Looks…..”

College of the Ozarks has announced the signing of Fair Grove graduate Kyle Cavanaugh.

The 6-2 swingman was among the best on the Ozarks last year.  He averaged over 21 points a game last season for Coach Tim Brown and the Eagles.  He was All-Midlakes, All-Ozarks, and All-State as a senior.  Cavanaugh helped lead the Eagles to their first district championship in 14 years.

Should be a nice addition to Coach Steve Shepherds ballclub.

Today is the Fourth of July.  Its the day we celebrate America’s Independence.  I urge you to take  a few extra moments today and really think about what the day is all about.

As you have that cookout, or are watching those fireworks, take time to reflect on what it took to make it possible.  Remember the men and women that said “enough”.  Remember the brave soldiers that have fought and continue to fight to preserve that freedom.  Take time to not be Continue reading “Be Thankful…”

Former Branson Pirate and Missouri State Bear Sam Perez made his professional pitching debut this past weekend.  Throwing for the Batavia Muckdogs, the righthander retired all 5 batters he faced.

The State College Spikes picked up the win 10-3 in the contest with Perez throwing the final 1 2/3 innings for his new team.  The Muckdogs play in Batavia, New York.  Batavia is a town of 6809 and is located in the western part of New York State.  They play in the New York-Penn League.  Historic Dwyer Stadium, where they call home, was built in 1939 and holds up to 2600 people.

Perez graduated from Branson in 2012.

I make no secret of how much I enjoy doing what I do.  Sports has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and local sports in particular.  Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with a number of people but none more than my long-time broadcast partner Scott McCaulley.

Not sure there is anyone that likes the sports game as much as I do, but if there is, McCaulley, might just be the one.   Scott has been the sports director (among many other jobs) at Earls Family Broadcasting (formerly Orr and Earls) since 1991.  Together we have had the opportunity to call football playoffs, state and national championship basketball, and Continue reading “There’s No One Like McCaulley…”

I went to my first Reeds Spring Football workout of the summer this morning.  Hard to believe that, just eight weeks from today will be the “walk through” for Week One.  It really does not seem like that long ago that the 2015 season ended.

So 57 days….  FIFTY-SEVEN !!!!  That is all the time area coaches have to get ready for this years version of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.  Its a different way to start the season for all three area teams.  Reeds Spring will play Continue reading “The Countdown is on….”