Saint Joseph Central High School Football Season Preview

Saint Joseph Central High School Football: Building Strength and Experience for a Competitive Season

Offseason Focus

This offseason, the team’s priority has been building strength in the weight room while also developing player knowledge of the offensive and defensive systems. This dual focus is boosting confidence among returning players as well as those preparing for their first season on the field.

Special Offseason Events

The team is focusing primarily on strength and system development this offseason.

Notable Additions & Departures

The Tigers said farewell to some standout seniors, including:

Gabe Fields (RB) – headed to Vanderbilt

Marquel Mayfield (DB)

Boston Stobaugh (OL) – Missouri Western State

Malakia Thaxton (DL) – Iowa Western Community College

The good news? Central returns more starters on both offense and defense than last season, bringing valuable experience to the squad.

In exciting news for the program and fans alike, Central is installing a brand new turf field for the first time in school history. The Tigers will debut the new surface on September 5th against cross-town rival Benton High School.

Players to Watch

Several key players are poised for strong seasons:

Kanon Wetlaufer (Sr., QB/LB): Coming off a solid first year playing both offense and defense, Kanon is expected to lead the team this season.

Jermaine Collins (Sr., LB): A defensive standout with high expectations.

Dillon Diaz (Sr., Safety): After an excellent junior campaign, Dillon looks ready to take a big leap forward.

John Galloway (Sr., OL) & Jayden Bottorff (Jr., OL): Both bring valuable experience and leadership to the offensive line.

Kayden Fenwick (Jr., WR) & Drake Gilkison (Jr., WR): These sophomores showed promise and are expected to elevate their play.

LaDanian Morris (Jr., RB/LB) & Christian Richey (Jr., RB/LB): This dynamic duo will be key contributors both as running backs and defensive leaders.

Biggest Challenges Ahead

One challenge is finding adequate practice space this summer, as the new turf installation is expected to occupy much of the field during the offseason. Additionally, depth remains a perennial challenge, as Coach Farrell notes the difficulty in consistently filling all 11 spots on both sides of the ball.

The Tigers enter the season with a growing core of experienced players, new facilities, and a determined mindset as they aim to make a strong impact in Missouri football.