THE RIVER VALLEY REPORT FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.11.2024

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HAROLD MCILVAIN II

SPECIAL TO RIVER VALLEY DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

OZARK— Looking to replace the production of an all-state quarterback and running back from 2022, Ozark required players to step up in a big way last year. Enter quarterback and safety Koby Wilbanks.

Wilbanks, the best player on the field in most games, put his talents on full display as a first-year starter at quarterback in a monster 2023 junior campaign. He rushed 212 times for 1,917 yards with 27 touchdowns. He completed 81 of 139 passes for 1,232 yards and 27 touchdowns. Wilbanks also finished with 44 tackles and 4 interceptions playing in the secondary.

Did that kind of productivity out of nowhere surprise Ozark Coach Jeremie Burns? Not in the slightest. Do the Hillbillies expect even more from Wilbanks in his senior year? Absolutely.

“ He had a really great year throwing it and running it for us,” Burns said.“ And he has gotten even better this spring in our team camps. Coming into this, it’ s going to be his senior year. He is getting some looks at some colleges. We always knew he was going to be the guy when it was his time. I wasn’ t shocked at all. He really flipped the switch his sophomore to junior year.”

It did, however, slightly surprise Wilbanks himself, who helped guide Ozark to the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament and to its first 10-win season since 2019.

“ Coming into my junior year, I didn’ t think people would know me because I didn’ t play much offense my sophomore year,” Wilbanks said.“ Me and my dad were just talking about keeping to myself and playing hard. I’ m super glad my coaches and teammates trusted me with the opportunity. It surprised me a little bit. We had to step up losing an all-state quarterback and running back. We wanted to make a name for ourselves. I’ m proud we stepped up as an entire team.”

Now a senior and a target of every defense he will play this year while switching back to the 4A-4 Conference, Wilbanks will be asked to take his game to another level. He is just one of three starters back on offense and one of four back on defense.

“ Opponents have to scheme him up and try to stop him,” Burns said.“ That’ s where we start with our offense. I’ ve heard a few coaches say they are already scheming him up for this year. We’ ll have to find a few new wrinkles. But we know he is going to have another good season.”

Burns feels he has plenty of talent around Wilbanks. Eli Gilstrap, Evan Estep, Colten Rosson, Casey Moreland, Brogan Brasseaux,

Lawson Wright, Caedon Rosson and Zach Young, among others, will look to get carries and receptions. The line upfront is guided by Spencer Gresham, Braydon Sampley and Eli Sampley.

Ozark has leaned on its rich tradition of football success, earning seven or more wins and making the playoffs in each of the past eight seasons. They’ ve also finished second or better in their conference in the past six

OZARK HILLBILLIES

years. The Hillbillies want to keep that success going, looking to make another deep state tournament push.

“ We had a lot of seniors leave last year,” Wilbanks said.“ We have some younger guys ready to step up. I think the missing pieces to our puzzle will be fixed. I’ m excited for a new group of guys to make a name for themselves. We stepped up last year, and we feel like we’ ll do it again this year.”

* – Denotes 4A-4 conference game. All kickoffs 7 p. m. unless noted.