There is an entirely new atmosphere of confidence around the Carl Junction football program ahead of the 2024 season.
Why? Because the Bulldogs are no longer one of the smallest schools in the Central Ozark Conference. Carl Junction enters the season as a member of the brand new Ozark Mountain Conference and is in a position to compete right away.
“The COC, as good as it is, is not the right fit for us demographically at this point in time,” Carl Junction coach Todd Hafner said to NewsTalk KZRG about leaving the COC. “Moving to the new conference gives us an opportunity to compete against schools our own size and same competitive level.”
The OMC consists of CJ, Bolivar, Branson, Marshfield, Rogersville and West Plains.
“The conference is going to be very competitive,” Hafner added. “Competing against schools our own size is what this program needs at this point in time. We are happy knowing where we are that week in and week out it is going to be a battle to get wins.
On the gridiron, Carl Junction lost 10 starters from a year ago and returns 14 starters and 31 total lettermen.
“(The excitement) for this season starts with our numbers,” Hafner said. “We had 68 total kids last year 9-12. Right now, we’re at 87. I think that shows the excitement level for football and what's going on with the improvements we’re trying to make.
“We competed well in the COC, there were times we were just outmanned when you’re playing four, five or six kids both ways and you’re competing against schools that are two-platooning offense and defense with two or three deep at each position.
“The level playing field is where the excitement comes from, and having the opportunity to compete week in and week out.”
The Bulldogs proved last year when they play against similar sized schools, they can compete with anyone. CJ went 1-8 in the regular season playing as the smallest school in the COC. Once the Bulldogs got to the postseason, they earned district-opening wins over Lincoln College Prep, 32-0, and Harrisonville,17-7, before falling to Nevada in the district championship.
“This year’s team has to match that same type of effort, level of competitiveness and toughness,” Hafner said about this year’s Bulldogs team. “Last year’s seniors set a great example of what it's like to be resilient. There are going to be plenty of times this year where we’re going to face adversity and the kids are going to have to be resilient and continue to play hard. If we are (able to handle it), and we can be at a very competitive level through that adversity, then we’re going to win a lot of games.”
Carl Junction returns several two-way starters this season, junior RB/LB Marcus Lopez-Durman bringing back 677 rushing yards and six rushing scores. Senior RB/LB Tony Stewart also returns to the back field after accumulating 357 yards and two touchdowns on the ground last season.
“One of our strengths (on offense) is going to be up front,” Hafner said. “We moved some guys around and we do have four returning starters up front. That helps. Behind them we have two running backs who are very good. They are explosive and compliment each other well.”
Also returning on the outside are senior WR Jaxton Wobken, senior WR/DB Ryder Pyles and senior WR/RB Max Goddard. In the trenches, juniors Gavin Beachner and Blake Starks return along with sophomore Aiden Lundien.
Senior DL/OL Oni Mondestin and senior S Brady Sponsel also return to bolster the defense.
Returning letterwinners include senior OL/DL Malikai Brien, RB/LB Gabe Sitton, TE/OLB Braxton Jones and juniors Mason Gilbert (QB), Ben Stevens (OL/DL), and Kane Clark (DE/OL).
“Mason Gilbert has won our starting quarterback job,” Hafner said. “Mason is mobile, but he can really throw the football. So, we will do some things a little differently to work to his strengths and still make sure the run game is our main focus.”
Carl Junction opens the season at Capital City on Aug. 30.