No surprise with my #1 story of 2022. The Wolves went on a run for history this year, ending in the school’s first trip to the Show-Me Bowl.
Oh, what a ride it was. Coach McFarland led a season that wont soon be forgotten. Big piece happened last Spring with the hiring of Travis Cagle to run the defense.
This group of seniors took the theme of the year to heart and were truly #ALLIN. Their leadership set the tone.
Wolves won the opener in dominating fashion, taking care of Monett 20-0. Not the best showing the following week at Nevada, dropping their first game of the year. They would win the next three, including, taking back the Backyard Battle Trophy from Hollister
Then came the Seneca game. After falling behind big, the Wolves came fighting back. The game was tied 49-49 with about five minutes to go. The Indians would get the win, that night, but the Wolves seemed to have noticed something about themselves. They were a different team from that night, on.
Wins over Aurora and Rogersville, set up a winner take all game at Mt Vernon for the Conference Championship. What a great high school football game we witnessed, that night. The Mountaineers went for two in OT and the win, but a Caden Wiest interception gave the victory to the Wolves.
Districts started with a bye, then the weird game vs Cassville that was played over two days. Wolves survived an upset bid and advanced with a 14-7 win. That set up the district Championship game with Osage. Wolves left no doubt who the better team was, taking care of the Indians 35-6 and punching their ticket to the State Playoffs.
It was the nasty cold in Boonville, that was next. The big guys, up front, dominated both sides of the ball and the Wolves powered their way to a 21-7 win and a right to host the State Semi-Final against Sullivan. The Eagles, with tons of supporters in tow, held tight for a half. But RS took over in the second half, pulling away for a 49-20 victory.
While the Wolves would fall short in the Championship game, it does not put a damper on the memories of this incredible season. Record after record fell; A coaching staff that was as good as could possibly be; A group of players that did everything that was asked of them and more; a group of parents that were passionate and supportive; and a community that showed up in force is what we experienced.
The 11 wins are the most ever by a Reeds Spring football team. This season was amazing, no matter how you choose to look at it. So proud of the accomplishments on the field, but as I have pointed out previously, most proud of the young men the guys wearing those jerseys have become.
