Glenn Hibdon
Daily Times Correspondent
CHOUTEAU —
Glenn Hibdon
Times Correspondent
A new district and a bevy of returning starters give head coach Mark Vance reason for optimism as the Chouteau Wildcats prepare to improve on last season’s 2-8 record.
Entering his second season at the Chouteau helm, Vance’s team will launch its first campaign in District 2A-7 with a winning season in sight.
“I expect us to win five or six ballgames,’’ Vance said. “We‘re excited about our experience and we’re a little faster this year. We’ve got a lot of kids back at the skill positions and we’re excited about that.’’
Vance is high on returning veterans Malcolm Luster, Wesley Dorsey, Curtis Foreman, Trent Soldier, Levi Rush and Jason Chidester.
Luster, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior, will line up at receiver and defensive back. Dorsey will be the tailback and middle linebacker. Foreman moves from receiver to quarterback, and Soldier, 6-2, 275, will start at tackle along with Rush, 6-0, 245, at linebacker.
Jacob Johnson returns to do the kicking.
Defensively, Vance is also relying on Dalton Vance at cornerback and Dion Hillingoss at end.
“The key is staying healthy, and our offensive linemen need to stay hooked up to give our skill people a chance to be successful,’’ Vance said.
“ We want to see if we can run the ball better with our linemen up front.’’
Vance said Austin Hershburger, a freshman tight end, transferred from Ponca City and is expected to make an impact.
Senior Jacob Willardton, scheduled to be a starting H-back last year, missed the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but will be back.
Sophomore receiver Ryan Hershberger also suffered a torn ACL and now is healthy.
“Right now, we’ve got to get ready for our three (non-district) games and that will prepare for our (district),’’ Vance said.
Due to the football district realignment, Chouteau finds itself moving from District 2A-8 to 2A-7. As is the case with the majority of the 2A districts, 2A-7 is comprised of seven teams.
Holdovers from last year’s 2A-7 are defending state champion Lincoln Christian, Chelsea, Caney Valley and Pawhuska.
“It will be pretty wide open behind Lincoln Christian. I think we have a pretty good schedule and we will be in the middle in the district.
“Everybody is excited about the group we have and we’re going for that fourth playoff spot.’’
The Wildcats have not made the playoffs since 2003.
After back-to-back winless seasons, the Wildcats posted a pair of wins in Vance’s first yar. A loss to Warner was later reversed when state sanctions forced Warner to forfeit that game to Chouteau.
