2016 Football Preview: East Prairie Eagles

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Head coach: Chad Jamerson, 5th season (14-28)

2015 record: 6-5

District: Class 2, District 1

Conference: SEMO East (Charleston, Kelly, Malden)

Playoff finish: Lost 42-8 to Malden in second round of districts

Returning starters on offense: 8

Returning starters on defense: 6

Notes: After two years of winning just one game the Eagles have posted back-to-back above .500 seasons. To make it a third they'll have to plug in a few old faces into new positions starting with quarterback. Replacing graduated starter Brett Ellis, who threw for 860 yards and six touchdowns and another 457 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season, will be Derez Tipler (5-9, 160, Soph.). The athletic Tipler filled in for an injured Ellis last season during a two-game span and went 1-1 as the starter. He compiled 324 yards rushing and was 12 for 25 with 118 yards passing during that time. Pairing with Tipler in the quick and nimble department is returning all-purpose weapon Deverence Jones (5-9, 165, Sr.). Jones averaged 10.1 yards per carry with 1,108 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He was East Prairie's leading rusher, receiver, kick returner and punt returner for a total of 2,304 yards on top of being their second-leading tackler with 63. All-Conference selections Nathan Owens (6-1, 265, Sr.) and Mason Tidwell (6-2, 260, Sr.) return to anchor East Prairie's offensive and defensive lines. Jon Ross Slayden (6-4, 180, Jr.), Luke Marcum (5-10, 130, Jr.), Brian Shoffner (5-9, 176, Jr.) and Casey Gregory return on the defensive side.

From the coach: "I'm excited about this team and the opportunities they have this year. We are replacing a lot of important parts, but the team has worked hard to improve and I think we can play some good football this year. Like any Class 2 school around the state, we must stay healthy. If we can continue to work hard, stay healthy and have a little bit of luck this group of young men can have a fun year." -- Chad Jamerson

Roster

No.Player
1Carson Aycock
2Jon Ross Slayden
3Deverence Jones
4Brady Colson
5Derez Tipler
7Jack Scruggs
8Preston Gifford
9Ethan Jones
10Chris Cutlip
11Luke Marcum
12Harrison Moore
13Casey Gregory
14Davon Douglas
18Brian Merryman
20Brian Shoffner
21Noah Groves
25John Hayes Bixler
28Keaton Adams
29Marshall Story
30Blake Copeland
33Mason Bryars
34Dakota Woods
36Tyler McCurter
40Raleigh Archie
42Keaton Caery
44Blade Turner
45Logan Allen
48Nate Hodges
50Zach Wilkens
51Justin Warren
52Hunter McCurter
55Nate Owens
56Rex LaPlant
60Mason Tidwell
61Jared Sneeringer
63Chad Housman
65Kenneth Allen
67Brandon Faire
68Kevin Shands
71Zack Triplett
72Gage Eaves
74Grant Hutcheson
75Jacob Holt
77Dalton Farmer
78Dakota Harrington
85Hunter Brown
88Travis Ledlow

Schedule

A.19Kelly, 7 p.m.
A.26at Jefferson, 7 p.m.
S.2Scott City, 7 p.m.
S.9at Hayti, 7 p.m.
S.16Malden, 7 p.m.
S.23at Chaffee, 7 p.m.
S.30Portageville, 7 p.m.
O.7at Charleston, 7 p.m.
O.14Kennett, 7 p.m.

2015 results

at KellyW 41-0
at GrandviewW 48-12
at Scott CityW 40-34 OT
HaytiL 16-45
MaldenL 20-38
ChaffeeW 36-22
at PortagevilleL 20-40
CharlestonW 55-6
at KennettL 12-34
C2D1: at PortagevilleW 34-18
C2D1: at MaldenL 8-42
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