Football

How far can the Bulldogs go this season?

Lineman Deacon Haag set the standard high. “District champs,” he said, qualifying the statement with “but we have to improve.”

And there’s another caveat. Mexico can claim the district title, receiver and linebacker Jaden Hatfield agreed, “if we shut Hannibal down.”

Last year the powerhouse Pirates downed the Bulldogs twice, the second defeat knocking Mexico out of postseason play. To make things even more challenging, head coach Steve Haag’s squad lost the likes of quarterback Ty Prince, fullback Dante Billups, tight end and hard hitting linebacker Shannon Dorsey and big Quinton Campbell to graduation.

Billups and Dorsey are playing college football. Isaiah Reams opted to focus on basketball and will not return.

So the roster is full of new names. And the Bulldogs are short on upperclassmen.

“We lost a few good players,” Hatfield acknowledged. “The freshmen will have to step up. They have to be ready.”

While coach Haag notes that depth is an issue, he cites plenty of positives heading into Friday night’s opening kick off.

The team has shown it can move the ball offensively with the potential of putting a lot of points on the board.

Ty Sims will start behind the center. He gained valuable experience starting last season after Prince went down with injury. Senior running back Michael White praised what he has seen of Sims in practice.

“He has a great arm,” White observed.

Perhaps the Bulldogs’ greatest asset is speed, particularly in both the offensive and defensive backfields. Despite the loss of the explosive Reams, White and Anthony Shivers are both formidable and quick.

“Shivers and Michael, they are dynamic players,” coach Haag said. Both will feature on offense, with Andrew Runge also bringing depth to the backfield and Hatfield part of a strong receiving corps.

Defensively, White will use his closing speed from the safety position to limit any damage. Hatfield, Caleb Prater and Deacon Haag will help anchor the defense.

Haag, who weighs in on both sides of the line, says that his duties on the offensive side are made easier by the presence of the likes of Kendyr Taylor.

It’s possible to mention the contributions of every player on Mexico’s two-deep chart. But the players have been wowed by Shivers' efforts in camp.

White says Shivers is capable of dominating at cornerback. Coach Haag refers to him as a jitterbug with the strength to shake defenders loose and break long runs.

“He plays bigger than his size,” Hatfield agreed.

Coach Haag emphasizes the team will need to limit injuries. Mexico doesn’t yet have the depth to sustain losses.

Last year the Bulldogs went 5-5, with one game cancelled due to COVID-19. The final two regular season games were losses, both by fewer than 7 points. This year could tip things in favor of the win column.

“The goal is to win every week,” Haag said.

Softball

Head coach Kendra Murphy and her Bulldogs have reason to be confident entering the 2021 softball season.

They are coming off a 17-13 season with a win in district play. And they said goodbye to only one member of the graduating class.

Of course, that person was standout catcher Abby Oetting, an important presence behind the plate and in the batter’s box. But, says senior shortstop Taylor DeMint, “We have a good player to replace her.”

That person is sophomore Karlee Sefrit, who played a utility role admirably a year ago. And with veterans populating the rest of the lineup card, Mexico can afford to aim high.

“The goal is 20 wins, minimum,” Murphy said. “We know what we are getting back.”

Senior leaders are DeMint, outfielder Riley Thurman, second sacker Rylee Johnson, Madeline Williams, Aaliyah Peterson and Ruby Haefling. But there is experience up and down the roster.

Third baseman Abby Bellamy smacked a grand slam in the jamboree on Saturday. Jordyn Thurman is a sophomore who played like a veteran her freshman season. Kierstan Epperson wields a big stick and is solid at first. Kenly Jones had a big preseason. Eboni Mayfield is part of a seasoned hill corps.

Everyone on the squad can contribute.

Riley Thurman observes that a sense of purpose has made practice almost fun. The girls know what to do.

“We’re just playing softball,” she pointed out.

Murphy hopes to take advantage of team speed. Mexico’s record is 99 stolen bases in a season and she expects to shatter that mark.

Volleyball

A year ago, head coach Mendie Tutt fielded a young squad. Despite a varsity roster dotted with freshmen and sophomores, the Bulldogs shook off a 1-6 start to go .500 the rest of the way to finish 9-14, including a strong showing in the district round.

The team wound up second in Class 3, District 7.

Mexico remains young, and a bit on the small side. Middle Blocker Emily Nunan is the lone senior. Nunan and Jessica Stephens provide the only height challenge at the net.

But the Bulldogs don’t see youth and height working against them.

“Ally Walotka, her hangtime is amazing,” said Nunan of the junior who filled an outside spot a year ago. “We were strong last year, we’ll be strong this year.”

The team lost standout defensive specialist Nayeli Ruiz and hitter Addison McCoy to graduation. Also gone are Mya Miller and Riley Blevins. Tutt plans to move Capri’Ona Fountain into the middle and is looking to fill an outside hole.

Fortunately, she has depth and plenty of options.

“The freshman class is strong,” Tutt said. “And we have a lot of returning players, which is beneficial.”

Lizzie Joiner featured in the rotation as a freshman and is back for another year. Ally Wilson, Aleigha Jackson and Tessa Haefling were also varsity regulars in 2020.

The coach expects experience, a strong defensive back line, aggressive serves and passing efficiency to make up for the lack of height.

Tutt has been impressed by the work ethic and leadership of captains Nunan and Stephens, as well.

“We’re trying to get the younger girls ready,” Stephens said.

The 2021 campaign starts Monday on the road at Fulton.

Soccer

“This isn’t a rebuilding year,” said Dominic McKeown. “We will get the job done.”

The concern Mexico’s senior midfielder is trying to allay is obvious from a glance at the roster. Gone is speedy Jordan Mitchell, so quick to create from the midfield. The tough defensive tandem of Carter McIntosh and Hunter Woolfolk, who challenged all comers – also graduated.

In fact, the Bulldogs lost nine essential players to college or post high school careers. Last year’s team forged a 9-13-1 record with a convincing finish that put them in district contention.

They won four of the last seven regular season games, one of their losses a 1-0 double overtime thriller against Hannibal. It took Moberly two overtimes to claim the district contest, 2-1.

Suffice to say, the 2020 edition of Mexico’s boys soccer team was stronger than its record. Which is why the graduations are mourned.

“We lost our entire back line,” Haden Frazier added. “But offensively our team is consistently strong.”

Head coach Bill Gleeson used the returning presence of McKeown and Frazier to create a unique plan. Score early, score often and then ask the midfielders to look to their defensive duties.

“If we can score early, we can drop back on defense,” Frazier said.

But they may not have to cover for defensive inexperience for long. Gleeson points out that Scout Jones has looked strong in the preseason. Fernando Guzman works hard in the midfield and has a creative eye similar to Mitchell’s.

And Lisandro Rios used his playing time last year and practice over the summer to gain confidence on defense. Declan Gleeson is also looking stout on the back line.

Emille Scanavino will cover the net. The sophomore goalkeeper has good hands and a quick first step. He has been using practice and the jamboree to work on familiarity with the defenders.

“I feel like I’m getting better in goal,” Scanavino said. “I feel pretty confident.”

“I’m proud of this team,” coach Gleeson said. “We have the potential to go pretty deep.”

Cross Country

The Bulldogs sent five runners to state in 2020. Three – Kalea Henneberry, Sidney Turlington and Thomas Peuster – are back.

As always, Mexico head coach Lucas Breneman sets state berths as a goal. Otherwise, the 2021 season will be quite different.

First of all, Breneman has only nine boys and six girls to draw from. It’s the smallest cross country roster in more than a decade. The coach recognizes both a blessing – he can focus more attention on his runners – and a curse in the lack of numbers.

“Keeping everyone healthy will be a big focus,” he explained.

Only two seniors will lace up, Emmanuel Ramirez Rodriguez for the boys and Mya Miller for the girls. And Miller is a first time cross country runner.

In addition, the standards for qualifying for postseason have changed. Instead of eight districts, this year teams will be assigned to just four. Four teams from each of the larger fields will go to the district meet, up from two. And 30 individuals place, double from 15.

Districts assignments won’t be made known until well into September, so there are a lot of unknowns.

For the runners, however, the target is clear: finish in the top 30 and you are in. The time necessary to reach that goal is up to the course, the competition and the work put in throughout the season.

“No matter what, you have to set your mind that you can do it,” Henneberry pointed out.

Both coach and runners report that practices have been solid, even in searing heat. Freshman Alexis Smythe put in a strong showing during the track season and may help the girls side to team placement, despite the low number.

Making it to state in 2020 has made Henneberry and Turlington challenge themselves.

“It’s changed my mindset in practice,” Turlington said. “I’m more determined than last year.”

The boys will push each other for the seven spaces in each meet. Peuster has tossed out his time at state. The course was undulating and footing difficult. Personal best efforts are his current measurement.

“I’m just running hard, pushing through and taking every practice at my best,” he explained.

“They’re a good group and they’ve been working hard,” Breneman observed. “I’m excited for this year.”

Tennis

Mexico’s tennis team is poised for a title. But, cautions Shelby Kennemore, “there are some teams we have to beat.”

Among those are tough opponents like Hannibal and Osage. But one rival stands out.

“Palmyra is our problem,” added Winona Whelan.

Last year the Bulldogs finished second in districts behind their nemesis – something that has become a pattern. For the past five years, they’ve ended district play behind Palmyra.

A baker’s dozen first time tennis players arrived at the start of fall practice, making Mexico a young squad at first glance. But head coach Kim Costley can count on a core of returning varsity starters to fill her top six.

Kennemore, Lily Yager and Shelby Gooch earned all district honors in 2020. Whelan is a veteran, as are Estrella Lopez and Jocelyn Garcia.

“It helps when you don’t lose many at the top,” Costley said. “Having experience in singles and doubles helps.”

Costley and assistant coach Sarah Olson are excited by the tide of novice players, as well. It gives them the opportunity to shape them, with returning veterans as examples.

Kennemore says she has been impressed by many of the court newcomers.

The Bulldogs have a tough go once the schedule starts. They travel to Boonville on Monday and remain on the road for five more matchups before their first chance at home court advantage.

Then they stay at home until the approach of the postseason.

“Everyone is vying for conference,” said Yager. “But as a team we are looking to get back at Palmyra.”

Golf

Kennedi Rowe came agonizingly close to qualifying for the state golf tournament in 2020. She missed out by a mere three strokes.

But that has given Rowe a clear target going into the 2021 campaign.

“I plan on going to state this year and next year,” she announced. Over the summer Rowe carded consistent nine-hole rounds in the mid 40s. And those numbers held up through 18.

“Kennedi is working hard,” observed head coach Layne Ray. “She’s very serious about improving.”

Ray is new to the helm. And her team is small, so the coach doesn’t have to worry about accumulating team points come tournament time.

In addition to Rowe, senior Morgan Craig and freshman Alexis Henderson will tee it up for Mexico.

“I wish more girls would go out,” Ray said. But she has been able to pay attention to the details of the trio’s games.

The easy going, self-deprecating Craig (“I’ll be where I need to be halfway through the season, and then it will fall apart,” Craig said with a wry smile) has been finding improvement.

“Morgan is hitting strong drives,” Ray said.

And Henderson is proving to be a quick study.

Should Rowe reach her goal, she will continue a streak of Bulldogs at state that began before Lilly Knipfel’s run of four state appearances. Knipfel graduated this spring.

“I think she can do it,” Ray said.