Homecoming presents challenges for Hounds

JON DYKSTRA/DAILY FORUM
Left to Right, Maryville seniors Jacob Reuter and Caleb Feuerbacher, along with junior Benji Orshiso, laugh after senior Will Walker’s (far left) hot dog falls into the fire at the Homecoming bonfire on Wednesday night at the Maryville Middle School. The Maryville Spoofhounds will host their Homecoming game this Friday against Savannah.

Maryville football coach Matt Webb isn’t a subscriber to the notion that Homecoming week is something for coaches to worry about in terms of extra distractions.

“I’m not one of those coaches who doesn’t like Homecoming because of the distractions, I love Homecoming because of what it stands for,” Webb said. “I’m an alum and every year feels like a homecoming for me. I’m fortunate because I graduated from here in 1993 and I am excited every year and our team is excited.

“Homecoming is one of those games as a high school student where you get to enjoy a lot of activities all week and I think those are some of the best memories you can have when you are older.”

The Maryville High School graduate does believe the team the Spoofhounds will be lining up against on Friday offers plenty of challenges themselves.

Savannah (2-5) may not have the record that Maryville (5-2) possesses, but lately they have proven that they aren’t a bottom-feeding MEC team that the top schools in the league can ignore.

After starting the year 0-4, the Savages reached the softer spot in their schedule and took full advantage with a 53-0 win over Benton and a 42-0 win over Cameron.

While those scores are impressive, Savannah faced a true test last week when they faced a one-loss Chillicothe team, who beat Maryville 24-0 earlier this season.

With sophomore quarterback Chase Spoonemore (No. 3) returning to the Savage lineup after sitting out against Cameron, Savannah jumped on the Hornets early and built a 12-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Chillicothe was able to recover and come away with a 48-34 victory, but the scare that Savannah provided certainly opened eyes around the MEC.

“With a new coaching staff this year at Savannah, coach (Randy) Schrader’s system is different than what they have done in the past,” Webb said. “What I see this year are the guys really buying into his systems and really playing well. They are getting some rhythm offensively and defensively.”

Spoonemore is as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm. The quarterback ran for 197 yards against Benton and 80 yards earlier this season against Grain Valley.

“They are a tough school to prepare for,” Webb said. “I have a lot of respect for what (Schrader) is doing there as he tries to turn that program around. I see a lot of improvement.”

In addition to Spoonemore, the Savages lean heavily on running back Titan Irvine (No. 44). The powerful back had 161 yards against Cameron two weeks ago and 81 last week against Chillicothe.

“Their running backs are very physical,” Webb said.

This week, the Hounds are worried about making strides themselves offensively after they were unable to score an offensive touchdown last week against Smithville. The Spoofhounds offense has been shutout in both of the team’s losses this year against Chillicothe and Smithville.

“We need to go out and execute better,” Webb said. “We need to throw the ball to our team and not theirs.”

Senior quarterback Will Walker will be particularly hungry for a bounce-back. He struggled and went 3-for-10 for 78 yards and threw three interceptions.

“Will does a very good job of taking correction and coaching,” Webb said. “He wants to go out and get better each week and that is what he will do this week.”

Walker was replaced in the second half by junior Eli Dowis, who has primarily played running back.

Dowis gives the team some added mobility, but he also struggled passing in Smithville, going 2-for-6 for 18 yards and throwing an interception.

If Dowis takes more snaps that also depletes the team’s running back depth, where senior Jacob Reuter is already out.

Many questions will need to be answered Friday, but if the Spoofhounds have proven anything this year, they’ve proven that they are a resilient bunch. That resiliency will be on display starting on Friday night.