{
  "id": 2443504,
  "title": "Must-see TV: Don't lose sight of these football players in 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/must-see-tv-dont-lose-sight-of-these-football-players-in-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-21T22:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/must-see-tv-dont-lose-223100580.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As high school football season approaches in Southwest Missouri, there are several standout players worth watching from both the Central Ozark Conference West Division and other conferences. In the COC West, Landon West from Carthage is a senior running back who rushed for over 2,000 yards as a junior and is expected to reach that number again while leading the Tigers to another successful season. Trenton McCadney, also a senior quarterback from Joplin, was versatile last year as both a receiver and quarterback, and is poised to be a formidable player again this fall with his legs and catching ability. River Lenker from Webb City, a senior linebacker, will anchor the defense with his experience as a three-year starter. Jaxon Ertel from Neosho, a senior defensive end, will be a force on the defensive line, pressuring the quarterback and disrupting the offense.\n\nOther COC West players to watch include Jett Dalton from Carthage, a senior on both the offensive and defensive line, and Tate Nichols and Malachi Dougless, both wide receivers and defensive backs. Webb City's Mason Young, a senior quarterback and safety, along with Drake Claborn, a senior running back, and Barek Hoffman, a senior running back and linebacker, are also notable. Joplin's Alexander Flinn, a senior defensive lineman, and Judah Meredith, a senior defensive end, will be crucial for the Cardinals' defense. Neosho's Blayne Patterson, a senior quarterback, and Elijah Hurrell, a senior running back, along with several other players, are also worth keeping an eye on.\n\nIn other conferences, Cage Stewart from Carl Junction, a sophomore offensive and defensive lineman, and Silas Ball from Seneca, a senior running back and linebacker, are standout players. Terren Williams from Lamar, a senior running back and defensive end, is an all-state athlete expected to dominate in the Big 8 Conference. Other players to watch include Tadem Jones from Carl Junction, a senior wide receiver, and Sayre Sundy from the same school, a senior linebacker. In the Southwest Conference, Diamond's Giancarlo Martinez and Pierce City's Dyllan Kleiboeker, both quarterbacks, are two names to watch for their speed and athleticism.",
  "summary": "With high school football here and the regular season in sight, you'll need to know a handful of players around Southwest Missouri. I will give you a list from the Central Ozark Conference West Division who play close to home here in Joplin and surrounding towns. I will also add a list of some names from smaller schools or schools from other conferences. Let's get right to it with the COC West ...",
  "key_points": [
    "Landon West from Carthage expected to rush for over 2,000 yards again.",
    "Trenton McCadney from Joplin poised to be formidable with legs and catching ability.",
    "Cage Stewart from Carl Junction, a sophomore offensive and defensive lineman."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}