FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Kelly aims to continue program's upward trajectory in Year 5

By Phillip Suitts ~ Southeast Missourian

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

After taking a step forward last season, Kelly is looking to build on that progression, and win a few more games along the way.

The Hawks went 2-8 in 2017, a year after going winless. While that didn't match the high of the program's first-every varsity season in 2014 -- when the Hawks went 4-6 -- it was an improvement.

Now, the goal is to continue trending upward in Kelly's seventh year as a program, and fifth varsity season.

Kelly football players sit on the patio at Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau.

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

"Obviously to build on the wins, that's for sure," Kelly coach Lance Powers said. "We've got a good nucleus of boys, working hard. ... We know where we can start building from. We've got a good gauge of who we are right now, or at least a good start, and we know the direction we need to go to."

As the years go by, Powers feels the Hawks are building to develop an identity as the program. They took their lumps, going 0-10 in 2016, but it was all part of the process.

"That's what we talked about a lot last year. You guys are building the culture of the program down here," Powers said. "We knew we wouldn't be an overnight success. It's the constant building, and traditions, and building an identity of who we are. That's what we're trying to do."

Kelly football - Evan Ebert

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Offense

Kelly has an experienced hand guiding the offense with senior Christian Worley at quarterback. The three-year starter and team leader is back after he completed 65 of 127 passes for 853 yards last season.

"Christian's our leader of the team. There's no bones about it," Powers said. "He leads with his play. He leads vocally also. He's not quiet. He will make sure everybody is ready to go and fired up and ready to play.

Kelly football - Christian Worley

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

"He paid his dues as a sophomore and showed improvement as a junior. I know he's ready to just break loose and really have a great breakout season this year."

At running back, Evan Urhahn is back after a breakout freshman campaign. Despite missing some time due to injury, he rushed for 776 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.

He'll be joined in the backfield by senior Christian Williams, who was limited to three games last year due to injury.

"There's a great 1-2 punch," Powers said. "I like them both and I love having both of them healthy going into the season. We talk all summer, and the spring when we're lifting, man, 'We want you guys, one comes out and the other one comes in, and we don't miss a beat.' They bought into it."

Freshman Bryce Phelps, Luis Logeman and Sam Jett are also in the mix at running back.

Kelly football - Levi Watkins

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

After leading Kelly in receiving last year, Landon Hahs is back and leads a senior-heavy wide receiver group. Senior Peyton Eftink is another returning starter. After missing his junior campaign with a broken collarbone, Evan Ebert is back. Seniors Logeman and Gavin Hutson, an All-Southeast Missourian track and field pick who is playing football for the first time in his high school career, could also see playing time.

"If there's any position we're kind of deep at as far as skill guys and talented guys that would be at the receivers position," Powers said.

Michael Burton and Levi Watkins return as starters along the offensive line, and tight end Isaac Faire is also back. The rest of the line is in flux.

Kelly football - Gavin Childers

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

Defense/ST

Kelly's leading tackler, Brent Carlyle, has graduated after posting 45 tackles at linebacker last season. The second-leading tackler, Eftink, is back after racking up 43 stops. Keaton Fitzgerald, Chase Gray and Phelps could also contribute at the inside linebacker positions.

"We got pretty decent group of inside 'backers," Powers said.

Kelly football - Isaac Faire

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

The outside linebacker spots will be occupied by Williams, Logeman and Alex Swope.

Hahs is the leader in the secondary. He paced the team with two interceptions last season and was the team's third-leading tackler with 37.

Hutson, Ebert, Ty Powers, Drew Dirnberger and Brandon Carlyle will all contribute.

Overall, coach Powers was pleased with how his defense tackled in Friday's jamboree at Chaffee.

Ty Powers will take care of place-kicking duties and Hahs returns as punter. He might also be the Hawks' return man on kickoffs and punts. Hutson, Williams and Ebert are also candidates.

Kelly football - Landon Hahs

BEN MATTHEWS ~ bmatthews@semissourian.com

"Landon does a great job at that," Powers said. "We lost Trystan Wohlferd to graduation. He did a great job on kickoff return and punt return. We'll kind of see how it goes."

Gallery photos

Class 2 District 1

SEMO Conference East

Head coach

Lance Powers, 4th year (4-26)

Assistant coaches

Tim McGuire

Josh Freeman

Chris Lambert

2018 Kelly roster

No.	Name	Year	Ht.	Wt.	Pos.
1	Ty Powers	9	5-7	135	WR/DB
2	Landon Hahs	12	5-9	160	WR/DB
3	Kyler Ziegler	9	5-5	130	WR/DB
5	Brandon Carlyle	10	5-8	145	WR/DB
6	Gavin Hutson	12	6-2	165	WR/DB
7	Christian Worley	12	6-1	180	QB
8	Peyton Eftink	12	6-2	185	WR/LB
10	Matt Blunt	10	6-1	160	WR/DB
11	Alex Swope	10	6-0	175	WR/DB
12	Evan Urhahn	10	5-9	170	RB/DB
13	Gavin Kilburn	10	5-11	165	WR/DB
15	Gavin Hansen	9	6-2	165	QB/DB
16	Evan Ebert	12	5-10	165	WR/DB
17	Drew Dirnberger	10	6-0	160	WR/DB
20	Luis Logeman	12	5-8	165	WR/DB
21	Christian Williams	11	5-11	165	RB/DB
22	Cameran Barton	10	6-1	185	TE/LB
24	Rylie Brainer	9	5-8	140	TE/LB
25	Sam Jett	11	5-9	220	FB/DL
26	Bryce Phelps	9	6-1	195	RB/LB
27	Hunter Johnson	9	5-9	160	FB/LB
28	Michael Burke	9	5-6	130	WR/DB
30/55	Chase Gray	10	6-3	210	OL/LB
32	Jaycee Loomis	12	5-9	150	WR/DB
33	Chase Morgan	9	5-7	150	WR/DB
34	Keaton Fitzgerald	10	5-11	185	FB/LB
36	Tyler Wolf	12	5-10	170	WR/DB
40	Kobe Vermillion	10	5-5	125	WR/DB
41	Ricko Powell	10	6-0	180	WR/DB
44	Wyatt Standridge	12	5-10	170	RB/LB
50	Michael Burton	11	6-0	235	OL/DL
51	Annastasia Harlow	11	5-7	200	OL/DL
52	Elijah Lofton	9	5-9	195	OL/DL
54	Conner Johnson	9	5-9	180	OL/DL
59	Austin Elkins	9	5-8	195	OL/DL
60	Jarred Koth	10	6-4	185	OL/DL
61	Damon Schultz	12	6-0	270	OL/DL
62	Jacob Foster	12	5-8	200	OL/DL
63	DJ Parker	10	5-10	250	OL/DL
70	Bryson Klunk	10	6-1	185	OL/DL
72	Timmy Hooper	11	6-3	325	OL/DL
73	Levi Watkins	12	6-6	325	OL/DL
74	Noah Bridges	11	5-9	255	OL/DL
80	Kaleb Ziegler	9	5-8	140	WR/DB
81	Gavin Childers	12	5-10	215	FB/DL
84	Isaac Faire	12	6-3	250	TE/DL
99	Tray Rapert	12	6-0	280	OL/DL

2018 schedule

8.24	at East Prairie	7 p.m.
8.31	CRYSTAL CITY	7 p.m.
9.7	ST. VINCENT	7 p.m.
9.14	at Malden	7 p.m.
9.21	at Charleston	7 p.m.
9.28	at Doniphan	7 p.m.
10.5	METRO EAST (ILL.)	7 p.m.
10.12	at Scott City	7 p.m.
10.19	CHAFFEE	7 p.m.