It’s that time of year, the Fair Grove High School football team is starting off the year strong with some big goals in mind.  They hope to win conference again, becoming back-to-back champs.  They also hope to get back to a district title game and win it.  Coach Buffington said, “I believe this season will be just as good as last year, we have high expectations for ourselves and won’t settle for anything else but being 11-0 headed into the district title game.”

They trained hard over the summer with players coming in three days a week for summer weights and conditioning.  They also participated in tournaments at Parkview and Ozark as well as a two day camp in Branson.  Buff claims, “We have a great senior group that we are looking for all of them to contribute this year as leaders.”  A lot of people have stepped up as being leaders.  Colten Dame comments, “To me, this isn’t a new leadership role being a captain was just a title.  I didn’t mind having it or not, I only wanna make sure our football program shows the very best of what we are and preparing for younger kids for future years.”Some key players for this season are full-time quarterback Jayden Kinsinger, corner/wide receiver Issac Mauldin, offensive/defensive line Colton Dame and Hunter Robertson, running back Noah Sandridge, and middle linebacker, Stewart Hopkins.  There are also some underclassmen the are making a big difference.  David Oplotnik as outside linebacker, Cole Gilpin as safety/wide receiver, Blake Bridges and Darin Oplotnik as offensive/defensive line, Dominick Hoskins as wide receiver.

Although the team may be strong this year, they will still face some serious competition.  This year the team only consists of 48 players.  Coach Buff says, “In our conference, we have Skyline, which will be one of the toughest opponents.  There is also Strafford which is always a big game.  In our district, the biggest school will be Lamar, who are six time state champs.”  This year they have a motto that they there whole season will revolve around.  Fight.  Fight to keep the standard.  Fight for your teammates.  Fight to do your best every day.