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Wiest is Officially a Bear

He made the commitment a few months ago, and until today, there were other schools hoping that he could change his mind. But, Caden Wiest will stick to his word. The most decorated football player to ever wear a Reeds Spring football uniform will be a Missouri State Bear.

In front of an audience of friends, coaches, and family, Wiest signed his name on a National Letter of Intent this morning at Reeds Spring High School.

Wiest is the first three time All-State Football player in the history of the Wolves Program. He helped lead the Wolves to a Class 3 State Runner up finish this season. His dominance on both sides of the ball was a nightmare for opposing coaches. As a tight end, linebackers had the near impossible task of trying to deal with the combination of his size, power, and speed. And, defensively the defensive end showed his versatility, lining up in multiple spots in Travis Cagle’s system. Just as impressive is the work the Wiest does in the class room, earning multiple time All-State honors for that as well.

Although several Division One programs made offers, the ability to be near home and be part of what they are building at Missouri State was enough to get Wiest to be a part of what is going on in Springfield.

WiestSigning (click on link to hear interview with Caden)

Snyder Stays in the Cat Family

In watching Garrett Snyder mature over the past few years there was no doubt he was going to be a College Athlete. To me, the only question is what sport would lead the way. The dude can flat out put the ball in the hole. Whether its on the basketball court or the golf course the Hollister senior gets it done.

A few weeks ago, the reigning Perry Phillips Broadcasting Area Player of the Year, made it official. He will play Basketball for Coach Steve Shepard at College of the Ozarks.

As a junior he was 1st team All-Conference in basketball and again was a state qualifier in golf. He was without a doubt the best all-around basketball player in the area last year. In addition to his ability to score, he does a great job of getting teammates involved. And his senior campaign is off to an incredible start averaging more that 30 points per game. He has already joined the 1000 point club.

In Snyder the Bobcats are getting a player that can play 3 different positions. He will be a great addition. Coach Pete Leonard is sending his alma mater a special one.

All-State Wolves

The honors Reeds Spring Football is receiving continue to roll in. Having just completed a run that saw the Wolves finish as Class 3 State Runners-Up, this years version of the Wolves set a new school record with the number of Wolves being named All-State.

Leading the way is Tight End, Caden Wiest. This marks the third year the Missouri State commit has received All-State honors, the second year in a row he was named First Team. He is the first Wolf in Program history to earn this honor three times.

Joining Caden on the first team, offensive lineman, Moses Barr, defensive tackle, Eben Crain, and Linebacker Adam Lewis. Lewis broke school records, this season, for total tackles and tackles for loss.

But, the first team selections did not stop there. The other bookend of that incredible defensive line was also named First Team All-State. Josh Lowe had an incredible year, fitting in with this group like he had played with them for years.

Preston Blubaugh, played his way through injuries, this season, and was able to earn second team honors. He is joined by Receiver James Dowdy. Dowdy set records on both sides of the ball. His receiving yards against Sullivan were more than any Wolf has ever put up in a single game. He also broke the single season interception record for Reeds Spring.

All-Area and All-District lists came out early this week and the Wolves dominated both lists. Reeds Spring finished 11-3 this season, falling the Cardinal Ritter College Prep in the Class 3 Show-Me Bowl.

Wolves Dominate Big 8 East Selections

The Reeds Spring Wolves went Undefeated through their Big 8 East opponents this season and the Coaches have awarded their efforts.

The coaches selections for All-Conference have been released and to no surprise the Wolves names are prevalent throughout the list.

Ten of the offensive starters for Reeds Spring received some sort of recognition and all eleven on the defense are on one of the three lists.

Blandy Burrell is your first team All-League quarterback. He is rewriting the Reeds Spring record book. The junior signal caller holds the single season record for TD passes and is closing in on the yardage number as well. He already holds the single game marks from his performance against Seneca earlier this year.

Joining Burrell on the first team are unanimous selections Caden Wiest (TE) and James Dowdy (WR). They are joined by Moses Barr (OT), Ebin Crain (C), and Preston Blubaugh (RB). Josh Lowe (OT), Braden Manning (G), and Addison Abshire (WR) were named to the 2nd team. And, Tristen Cobb was name honorable mention.

The Wolves had three unanimous selections on the defensive side of the ball. Crain (DT), Adam Lewis (LB), and Cobb (DB) are joined on the first team by Caden Wiest (DE). Sabastian Michaud (LB), Abshire (DB) and Cobb (DB) were named to the second team. Lowe (DE), Barr (DT), Dan Fliflet (LB), and Jace Bolin (DB) were honorable mention.

Miguel Campos received recognition as Honorable Mention Kicker.

The honors did not stop there. Burrell was named the Co-Offensive player of the year, sharing the honor with Bryant Bull from Marshfield. Crain received the nod as the Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Coach Andy McFarland was selected by his peers as the League Coach of the Year.

Hollister received some well deserved recognition as well. Blake Russell was a unanimous choice as a running back. He is joined on the first team by his Guard Boston Huck. Noah Richardson, Colton Hale, and Luke Calovich were named to the second team.

Defensively, Richardson, Michael Collins, Colton Hale, and Ayden Kimmel received recognition.

Callovich was also named the 1st Team Punter.

The Wolves are the #1 Seed in their District and will receive a first round bye in the District Playoffs. They will take on the winner of Cassville vs Aurora on November 4th at Carl Langley Field

Hollister is the #4 Seed in their District, they will host East Newton on Friday Night.

Big District Changes

The Missouri State High School Activities Association has released Class and District Assignments for Fall Sports. No sport changed any more than did Football.

Both Reeds Spring and Hollister have to be happy with where they landed. The Wolves have lived in Class 3 District 6, pretty much, since this format started. They are still there, however there were Big Changes to the opposing teams in the group. Gone are Hollister, Seneca, and Mountain Grove. Entering are School of the Osage and Clinton. So the District Looks like this: Reeds Spring, Buffalo, Cassville, Clinton, Aurora, and School of the Osage.

Hollister woke up yesterday to find out, not only were they dropped to Class 2, but they made the drop and avoided being put in the same district with perennial power Lamar. The Tigers are in Class 2 District 4 . They are joined by Clever, East Newton, Forsyth, Mt Vernon, Seneca, and Catholic. So the possibility of a Hollister-Forsyth matchup could happen in the post season.

Both the Wolves and Tigers should be contenders in their respective Districts.

Branson looks to be with the same group they were with a year ago: Camdenton, Central, Glendale, Lebanon, Rolla, and Waynesville

Many of the area Volleyball teams have been put together. Class 3 District 11 features Reeds Spring, Hollister, and Forsyth. Those are schools are joined by South Central Association members: Ava, Mountain Grove, and Willow Springs.

Branson got a really tough draw. The Lady Pirates are joined by: Carl Junction, Glendale, Hillcrest, McDonald County, Parkview, Webb City, and Willard.

Blue Eye is in Class 1 District 8. The Lady Bulldogs join: Bradleyville, Chadwick, Fordland, Niangua, and S of O.

Looking at Softball: Reeds Spring lands in Class 3 District 6. The Lady Wolves are joined by: Aurora, Cassville, Eldon, Logan-Rogersville, Osage, Seneca, Versailles.

Branson is in a Class 4 District 6, as are: Camdenton, Hillcrest, Glendale, Marshfield, Parkview, Rolla, West Plains

Branson is the only area school with a Soccer Team. The Pirates have been assigned to Class 3 District 5 along with: Camdenton, Glendale, Hillcrest, Parkview, Rolla, Catholic, and West Plains.

Reeds Spring has a Girls Golf team for the first time in school history. They will compete in Class 2 District 3, as will Hollister. Those local schools are joined by: Ava, Buffalo, Cassville, Lamar, Marshfield, Rogersville, Monett, Mountain Grove, Mt Vernon, Nevada, New Convenant, and Seneca

McMurdo to be a College Golfer

Reece McMurdo has had a great year as part of the one-two punch on the Reeds Spring Golf Team. He and Ty Cooper have both qualified for the State Tournament to be held next week.

McMurdo will tee off knowing his next golfing destination. Last week he signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and golfing career at William Woods University in Fulton, MO.

The Owls are among the top teams in NAIA.

mcMurdoInt (click on Link to hear interview with Reece)

Boyd Signs Letter to become Patriot

Its hard for anyone who hasnt played a sport to step in his senior year and be a productive part of any team. Its even harder to win a starting spot. But, that is exactly what Brandon Boyd did this year, as the starting centerfielder for the Reeds Spring baseball team.

Last week, he added another chapter to this unlikely story. He signed a National Letter of Intent to further his athletic and academic career at BBC in Springfield.

Boyd is looking forward to life as a Patriot.

BoydInterview (click link to hear interview with Brandon)

Hays, Johnson, and Mitchell Honored at FCA Banquet

Another incredible evening at this years South Central Missouri Fellowship of Christian Athletes Banquet honoring Male and Female Athletes of the Year and Coach of the Year.

This years Coaching award went of Branson Football Coach Anthony Hays. While, Natalie Johnson, from Southwest High School was named Female Athlete of the year, Blue Eye’s Isaiah Mitchell garnered the award for the guys.

This year’s guest speaker was Kevin Sorbo, from Hercules and God’s not dead fame. He spoke to the crowd about his career and the state of things today. He encouraged people to stand up and make a difference.

A special surprise, Jonahan Isaac, from the Orlando Magic, also made an appearance. He spoke about the release of his upcoming book, Why I Stand. It’s about his life and what lead up to the moment of Standing for the National Anthem while others were taking a knee.

I was fortunate enough to be part of the limited press that got to meet with Sorbo and Isaac just prior to the event. Below is the uncut interview from that meeting…

Click player for Sorbo Interview

Click below for Isaac Interview

IsaacInterview

Isaiah Mitchell signs with C of O

The Good News for Future Blue Eye Basketball Opponents: The “Youngest Mitchell” has used up his High School Eligibility. The Bad news for Future College of the Ozarks Opponents: You now have “Another Mitchell” to deal with.

Isaiah Mitchell has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his basketball and academic careers at C of O. He will join, his brother, Andrew.

Mitchell lead the Bulldogs, this season, to an undefeated Southwest Central League Championship, a district title, and a birth in the State Playoffs. He was first team all-conference and was the League Player of the Year. Last week he added All-State Honors to his list of accomplishments.

He will join Andrew on Coach Steve Shepherd’s ball club. Their older brother, Christian, also starred at Blue Eye, before playing his college ball at Kansas Wesleyan. And older sister, Alexis, was a NCAA D-I volleyball player at the University of Tulsa.

(click player below to hear interview with Isaiah)

2021-2022 Perry Awards

Here are my award picks for the year. As in years past I do not have stats on spread sheets in front of me. Its more of an eye test than anything. It’s all in fun. Another good year of basketball is in the books. Some folks stood out, some of those are on the list below and some others, I would love to had included but just so many spots. Congrats to all, and thanks for another fun year…..

Girls Boys

Youngin of the Year(frosh/soph) TAYLOR FOSTER TANNER BAIRD

Keep an Eye On SAMANTHA GEORGE MALICHI HENRY

My Final Shot JADE WATSON JOSH BARLOW

Best Floor General: RILEY ARNOLD KYLE SCARBROUGH

Underrated: GRACYN FAIRCHILD CLAY KEMP

Straight out Player BRISSA GERE ISAIAH MITCHELL

Defend 2 win AVERY ARNOLD TANNER HIRSCHI

Not About Me KYLA WARREN MATT GREENWALT

Coach of the Year KEN ELFRINK KYLE TURNER

Player of the Year RILEY ARNOLD GARRETT SNYDER