CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — The Carl Junction Bulldogs have a veteran squad for the upcoming 2025 season, looking to build on last year’s 6-5 record and a tie for second place in their debut and inaugural Ozark Mountain Conference (OMC) season.
“I think what we found out is exactly what we thought,” Carl Junction coach Todd Hafner said. “The competition was going to be really good, that we were going to be able to compete every single week with the teams in our conference. And, if we prepare and we continue to get better, at the end of the season, if we're playing good football, we're going to have a chance to win a district. And that's really all any coach, player, school can ask for is just to have that opportunity.”
Carl Junction’s season ultimately came to an end following a 24-6 loss to Bolivar in the Class 4 District 7 semifinals after an 18-13 first-round win over McDonald County.
“I think, right now, it's just one of those things that for us to compete—because we have to play more kids both ways—we have to do some more conditioning, we have to do more in the weight room than some,” Hafner said about what it will take to get to the next level. “And listen, we've talked to our kids all about that and they've bought into it.”
Key losses to graduation include running back/linebacker Tony Stewart, wide receiver/safety Jaxton Wobkin, wide receiver/corner Jett Mills, defensive lineman Ony Mosdestin, and safety Brady Sponsel.
However, the good news is the Bulldogs return 15 starters—eight on offense, six on defense, and one on special teams.
“You know, we lost some really good players on defense,” Hafner said. “So, we'll be a little bit young and inexperienced for the first few games on defense, the exact opposite of that on offense.
“I think that the returning players that we have on offense are all key. We return our quarterback, we return our number one running back, we return all five of our guys up front. We lost some very good receivers, but we think that we've had some kids that were waiting that have really stepped up.
“But, defensively we're going to have to fill some holes. We may have to play some young kids to get them some experience early, which we all know how that goes. But it is what it is. And I think that in order for us to compete, those young kids are going to have to step up.”
Senior Mason Gilbert returns at quarterback, while senior running back Marcus Lopez-Durman, a second-team all-conference and first-team all-district pick, brings balance and power. The offensive line, anchored by first-team all-conference and all-state second-team tackle Gavin Beachner, returns intact, with Beachner’s leadership critical to winning one-on-one battles.
Defensively, senior defensive end Kane Clark returns with 11.5 sacks and unanimous first-team all-conference honors selection. Junior linebacker Sayre Sundy, who stepped up as a sophomore and will now help lead the defense, and senior safety JoJo Ballard, returning from injury, has elite athleticism and will bolster the unit.
Newcomers expected to make an impact include senior Brody Yaple (H-Back), juniors Blayne Flemming (DB), Sam Coats (DB), Burke Diskin (DB/QB), sophomores Adem Jones (RB), Bryant Hanks (WR), Landon Stump (OL) and freshmen Cage Stewart (OL/DL), and Trystin Lopez (RB).
Carl Junction opens the season at home against Capital City on Aug. 29.
BULLDOGS SCHEDULE
August 29: Capital City (Home)
September 5: Heritage, AR (Home)
September 12: Marshfield (Away)
September 19: Logan-Rogersville (Home)
September 26: Hillcrest (Away)
October 3: Seneca (Away)
October 10: Branson (Away)
October 17: Bolivar (Home)
October 24: West Plains (Home)