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Gridiron: Chaffee Red Devils look to build on first .500 season since 2017
It took a monumental effort from the senior class to push the Chaffee Red Devils to a 5-5 record in 2023, the program's first .500 season since going 7-3 in 2017.
As a program, the Red Devils have returned to square one, in a year that will truly test the program that third-year Chaffee coach Jack Altermatt sought to build.
“We graduated off like 14, that's a big class, and we're bringing in about six freshmen,” Altermatt said. “So we're a little down, as far as number-wise, but we're still in that 30 range.”
Among those who graduated were All-District selections Carson Spies, Levi McKinnie, Blake Yarbro, Eli Glueck, Kade Atkins, and Shelton Simmons. Spies and McKinnie also earned first-team All-SEMO South Conference honors, while Braden Wicker, Carter Cossou, Glueck, Simmons, and Yarbro earned second-team honors. Simmons and Yarbro have moved on to play college football at Southwest Baptist University.
Despite heavy losses, the Red Devils bring back some key pieces, starting with senior running back Logan Horton. The “elusive” Horton was an All-Class 1 District 2 selection despite working in a crowded running back room but is free to make as big of an impact as possible.
“As far as working out goes, this is my 23rd year of coaching and I’ve played before, and he’s maybe the hardest worker I’ve ever seen,” Altermatt said. “That’s saying a lot. …
“Horton is one of those guys that, if he can get loose he's dangerous. But teams will game for him and then we can spread the ball out and move it around some.”
Joining Horton in the Red Devils’ backfield are sophomore Adam Swinford, senior Riley Wilson, senior Brennen Phillips, and freshman Cameron Phillips. Senior Jake Vandeven will split time on offense between running back and wide receiver, as well as serving as backup quarterback.
“(Horton) stepped in last year in supplemental stuff, but now that he's a senior he's going to have to do a lot more,” Altermatt said. “It's like Jake Vandeven, who I talked about, too. He's kind of our ‘Swiss Army knife.’”
Junior Leyton Hanback is set to take over as starting quarterback after Spies' graduation. While Spies was the catalyst on a run-heavy team, Altermatt said the team’s No. 1 goal with Hanback behind center is to find more balance on offense.
“Hanback will probably be our starting quarterback. He’s got a great arm,” Altermatt said. “He’s a balanced guy. We run the option, it’s pretty well-known that we run some option stuff, and he’s been in and out. It’s his third year in the system and he took almost every snap on JV for the last two years and did really well. Our JV was really solid last year.”
At receiver, Altermatt expects Rolen Reischman to play a big role in the passing game.
“He's got great hands and he’s got good instincts, so we’ve got to get him the ball,” Altermatt said.
The 6-foot-3 sophomore will split time between tight end and wide receiver, as will his classmate Ty Atkins, who stands at 6-4. Senior Conner Berry and sophomore Aiden Grogg are also expected to play significant minutes out wide.
Chaffee’s offensive line “has good size” and returns three starters from last year in senior Bronson Trost, junior Kolbey Estes, and sophomore Carson Clover. Ryan Griffin, who was a starter his sophomore year, will return to the lineup for his senior season after missing all of the 2023 campaign with an injury.
“Ryan Griffin didn't get to play last year because his shoulder was buggered up. Well, he's healthy,” Altermatt said. “He's a big horse. His brother was a starting lineman for four years before that, like four solid years, and Ryan started as a sophomore. Kobe Estes is a really good lineman.
“Carson Clover is a sophomore, and I'm telling you right now, if he's healthy and feeling good, he's as good of a lineman in the area that you're going to find because he's got the measurables. But he's only a sophomore, so he's one of those kids that will just keep progressing.”
Defensively, Atkins and Reischman will be key to Chaffee’s pass rush at defensive end, while Clover, Estes, and senior Eli Nix are expected to hold down the interior defensive line.
“Ty (Atkins) started as a freshman at defensive end on the opposite side of Levi (McKinnie),” Altermatt said. “He was a really solid defensive end, and Kobe Estes is going to have to play a big role on defense.”
Trost and Vandeven return as key linebackers on the Red Devils’ defense, while senior Aiden Dumey, junior Dillan Mosley, and sophomores Adam Swinford and Lucas Kessler will also see the field. Junior Jeramey Kilburn will split time at linebacker and safety.
Horton — who received All-Conference and All-District honors — is the lone starter returning to the Red Devils’ defensive backfield. Joining him are Berry, Grogg, Brennen Phillips, Cameron Phillips, and juniors Jaxon Cannon and Hayden Held. The final piece of the defensive puzzle is Hanback, who will be featured in multiple positions.
“Defense will need to gel early with new faces in spots,” Altermatt said. “Good potential on that side, but lots of seasoning to be done. Overall knowledge of how we want it done is there. They've been in this system for three years now, they just need to be forged in the fire.”
Due to joining the newly-formed Scott-Miss Conference, the Red Devils’ schedule looks different this year compared to the recent past.
“I think it’ll be good for us to see some different people, but it's also one of those things where you go, ‘We're still going to have to show up and play the game,’” Altermatt said. “You’ve got to find ways to be competitive.
“Chaffee has had this weird ebb and flow thing over the years where you'd have a solid team and then you fall off. You can go back to ‘83 and you can look at that. There's been a few winning seasons through there, but in my mind, my job is to be consistent. Let's just find ways to be consistent and put out a product that people like and can be proud of. That's what small-town football is all about, right?”
Chaffee
Coach: Jack Altermatt (Third season with team; 7-13 team record; 7-13 career record)
Last Season: 5-5
Key Returns: Conner Berry, Logan Horton, Leyton Hanback, Jake Vandeven
Key Departures: Kade Atkins, Eli Glueck, Levi McKinnie, Shelton Simmons, Carson Spies, Blake Yarbro
Schedule
Aug. 30 — at Grandview (Hillsboro), 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 — vs. Charleston, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13 — at East Prairie, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — at Ballard (Barlow, KY), 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 — vs. Principa, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 — vs. Confluence Prep, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 — at Veritas Christian, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 — at Scott City, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 — vs. Kelly, 7 p.m.