HALLSVILLE INDIANS – FOOTBALL

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Hallsville finished 4–7 and brings back a large, motivated core. Head coach Paul Stevens, in his second year, writes, “We return a hungry group of players who have embraced the challenge of improving every day. Our focus remains on building a tough, disciplined, and physical football team that plays with great effort and represents Hallsville the right way.” He notes that players “had tremendous buy in throughout the offseason and put in the work to improve in the weight room,” adding strength, explosiveness and confidence. Stevens believes “that commitment will translate to the field this fall,” and says if they “continue to improve, stay healthy, and play together,” they “have the potential to compete at a high level and achieve our goals.” Assistants include Popi Stevens, Nick Beaty, Jeremy Wooden, Homer Cochran, Alex Heitman, Nelson Pipes and Avian Thomas.

Offensively, Hallsville returns seven starters. Senior quarterback Landon Cunningham (6‑0, 175) completed “142/263 2,084 yards passing 12 passing TDs and 17 INTs,” and ran for “1016 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs,” earning “2nd Team All-Confence QB and all-district QB.” Senior receiver Gabriel Jenkins (5‑11, 165) recorded “59 catches, 1094 yards and 8 TDs” and was “1st team all confernce and all district. 3rd team all state WR.” Junior lineman Liam Davis (6‑6, 305) started “11 games last season,” had “61 pancakes,” and was “1st team all confernce OL and all district,” listed as a “4 star OL with offers from Missouri, Kansas State, Iowa State, Arkansas.” Junior Ethen Wright, senior Carter Geisler and senior Peyton Harlow all started 11 games and combined for dozens of pancake blocks. Stevens says offensively, “We strive to be multiple in our formations while maintaining a simple foundation for our players,” wanting to “be physical enough to establish the run and force defenses to commit extra defenders to the box, creating opportunities to attack vertically through the passing game.” He adds that their philosophy is “centered on spacing, and explosive plays,” with a plan to “control the line of scrimmage, take care of the football, and keep defenses off balance” through a mix of downhill runs, perimeter concepts, play-action and vertical shots, using tempo when needed.

Defensively, seven starters return. Senior linebacker Wyatt Morris (6‑0, 205) totaled “94 total tackles, 5 TFL,” senior defensive end Jackson Wooden (6‑5, 220) had “72 total tackles, 19 TFL, 3.5 sacks,” earning “2nd team all confence and all district” and drawing “over 15 offers” before committing to Northwest Missouri State University. Junior defensive end Luke Pezley (6‑5, 220) posted “78 total tackles, 18 TFL, 6 sacks” and is “another player getting alot of college interest.” Geisler added “35 tackles, 1 Defensive TD,” senior linebacker Brody Brown had “56 tackles, 3.5 TFL,” and sophomore defensive back Wyatt Riley contributed “34 tackles, 3 TFL, 3 PBU.” Stevens writes that they “pride ourselves on being multiple and adapting to the strengths of our personnel and the challenges each opponent presents,” aiming to “create confusion with our fronts, pressures, and coverages while remaining fundamentally sound.”