Springfield Area High School Football Top Position Groups in 2024

Several teams in the Ozarks are deep in different position groups at the start of the season. We’ve looked through them and figured out which teams are the best at different positions at the start of the year.

Below are the top position groups in the Ozarks, along with other teams not far behind.

Quarterback – Fair Grove

The Eagles are favored here because they have two quarterbacks who can run their offense at a high level. Spensar Seiger and Bryden Baxter are both great athletes who can run the ball, but can also make the right reads and get the ball into the hands of their playmakers.

Also worth mentioning: Marionville, Mount Vernon, Strafford, West Plains

More: These are the high school football quarterbacks in southwest Missouri you need to know heading into 2024

Running backs – Ava

The Bears have so many different capable backs that it’s hard to spread it out as much as they should, considering they have one of the best in the area in Hunter Adams. Keep an eye on seniors Thomas Merritt and Jordan Hutchison, along with Grant Swattosh to compliment Adams throughout the year.

Also worth mentioning: Marionville, Mount Vernon, Nevada, Lebanon, Carthage, Sarcoxie, Nixa, Fair Grove

Wide Receivers – Neosho

There is a lot of turnover at wide receiver in the area early in the year. Neosho has done a great job developing top-end pass catchers over the last two seasons and will return two of the area’s best in Hudson Williams and Tyrone Harris spread out wide.

Also worth mentioning: Glendale, Marionville, Joplin, Houston

More: These are the high school football running backs in southwest Missouri you need to know heading into 2024

Offensive Line – Nixa

There won’t be a better lineman in the area than five-star junior Jackson Cantwell at the Eagles’ left tackle. But the rest of the line has the potential to make this one of the better offensive lines to come through the Springfield area in history with Jacob Lile playing one of the guard positions and Hayden Mays at right tackle one of the breakout candidates to watch.

Also of note: Lebanon, Webb City, Carthage, Republic, Marionville, West Plains, Fair Grove, Lamar, Seneca

Defense Line – Lebanon

The Yellowjackets have two of the area’s best defensive linemen back from last season with Mason Hendrix and Nick Allen back in the mix. Lebanon allowed 15.2 points per game last year and it all started with their defensive front.

Also worth mentioning: Kickapoo, Logan-Rogersville, Carthage, Webb City, Republic

More: These are the southwest Missouri high school football receivers you need to know heading into 2024

Linebackers – Carthage

The Tigers have one of the top prospects in the area in 6-foot-4 edge rusher Landon Bland, along with a great recent history with players at the linebacker position. Keep an eye on Cooper Lilienkamp, an honorable selection All-Central Ozark Conference performer last year who led the team in tackles as a sophomore.

Also worth mentioning: Fair Grove, Bolivar, West Plains, Nixa, Ozark, Webb City

More: These Are the Southwest Missouri High School Football Offensive Linemen You Need to Know for 2024

Secondary – Kickapoo

The Chiefs have had one of the best defensive lines and secondaries in the area in recent seasons. They have Trent Garton and Levi Phillips back as opposite safeties this season. Kickapoo is two years removed from not allowing a passing touchdown in an entire season.

Also worth mentioning: Nixa, Carthage, Marionville, Mount Vernon, Houston, Lamar