The buzz of high school football is back in the air as four programs—Webb City Cardinals, Lamar Tigers, Joplin Eagles, and Seneca Indians—gathered for an electric jamboree on August 22, 2025, in Webb City, Missouri. The event marked the unofficial start of the 2025 season, offering fans, players, and coaches a first-hand look at what each squad brings to the gridiron this fall. While the scores may not count toward regular season records, the intensity and excitement were unmistakable, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive year.
On the South end of the field, Webb City wasted no time getting into rhythm. Quarterback Mason Young, showing poise and precision, found Malachi Njoroge wide open in the endzone for the Cardinals’ second straight touchdown. The crowd erupted, sensing the chemistry between Young and his receivers. “That was exactly the kind of execution we wanted to see,” said a Webb City assistant coach on the sideline, beaming with pride.
Lamar, never a team to be outdone, responded with a dose of their own magic. Sophomore running back Jaydin Moore burst through the line, darted past two defenders, and sprinted into the endzone for a Tigers touchdown. Moore’s run was the kind of play that gets fans talking and opponents worrying. The sophomore’s agility and vision were on full display, hinting at a breakout season ahead. “Jaydin’s got that spark,” a Lamar supporter remarked from the stands. “He’s going to be one to watch this year.”
Meanwhile, action on the North end of the field heated up as Seneca squared off against Joplin. The Indians struck first, with quarterback Brant Laughlin connecting with Easton Hanes for a touchdown—their third consecutive score in jamboree play. The seamless execution reflected Seneca’s reputation for disciplined, high-powered offense. Not to be outdone, Joplin answered back as senior quarterback Daniel Rose launched a deep pass to Layne Royle, who hauled it in for an Eagles touchdown. The back-and-forth action had fans from both sides on their feet, already imagining the fireworks that could come when the regular season begins.
For Seneca, this jamboree was more than just a tune-up. The Indians enter the 2025 campaign riding a wave of success, having compiled a remarkable 30-4 record over the last three seasons. Last year, they finished 9-2 overall and swept Chicagoland Prairie Conference play with a 4-0 mark before bowing out 21-14 in the second round of the Class 2A playoffs. Their power-T offense churned out over 3,200 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns—a testament to their physicality and commitment to the ground game.
Head coach Maxwell, now in his fifth season, is bullish about his team’s prospects. “We have a lot of players with varsity experience and senior leadership,” Maxwell said. “This should be a physical group with good speed. As with most small schools, we are looking for younger players to fill roles and step up.” That blend of experience and youthful energy could be the key to another deep postseason run.
Senior Gunner Varland will command the offense from under center, with senior Devon Daemicke and junior Brant Roe ready to step in if needed. The backfield is stacked with talent and depth: seniors Cam Shriey, Ethan Othan, and Liam Knoebel are set to start, while Brayden Simek, Avery Phillips, and junior Joey Arnold will rotate in. Maxwell is eager to keep his backs fresh. “Even more than the last couple seasons, we want to find guys who can give our three starting backs a break and us not miss a beat,” he explained. “I think we’ll have a pretty good rotation in the backfield.”
The tight end corps is anchored by seniors Zebadiah Maxwell, Brady Sheedy, and Matt Stach. Up front, the offensive line will be led by senior starters Jace Mitchell (center), Landen Venecia (guard), Landyn Ramsey (tackle), Colton Angeloff (tackle), and junior Rayce Aukland (guard). Seniors Derick Griffin and Kyler Krull, along with sophomores Breckin Anderson and Wyatt Holman, provide valuable depth. Coach Maxwell emphasized the importance of line play: “I think us staying as healthy as we can is the biggest key, and we’ve been mostly fortunate in that aspect the past few years. Then I think the next key is our offensive line jelling together. We have a couple of new pieces there, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen from that group throughout the summer and here in the first week of practice.”
On the defensive side, Seneca boasts a formidable front anchored by Maxwell, Angeloff, Venecia, Ramsey, and Anderson. The linebacker corps features Knoebel, Shriey, Aukland, and sophomore Chase Rod, while Phillips, Sheedy, and Wyatt Biffany line up on the outside. The secondary is deep and experienced, with Stach, Othon, and Roe at the corners, and Varland, Simek, Arnold, and Griffin Hougas patrolling at safety. Defensive coordinator Levi Derber draws high praise from Maxwell: “Our defensive coordinator, Levi Derber, does just a fantastic job with our kids, which allows me to really focus on the offense. I love what we have and where we’re at up front. Our interior five are really good and really good at what they do. Just like it starts for us on offense, our defensive front guys make things go. I feel like we are going to have a solid defense.”
Seneca’s 2025 schedule is no cakewalk. The Indians open on August 29 by hosting defending Class 2A champion Chicago Christian, a matchup that will test their mettle right out of the gate. After that, they hit the road to face Sangamon Valley co-op, Clinton, and Genoa-Kingston, before returning home for a stretch of conference battles against Dwight, Marquette, and St. Bede. The final two weeks see the Irish hosting St. Joseph-Ogden and wrapping up the regular season with a neutral-site clash against Carlyle at Maroa-Forsyth. “I feel like we have a really tough test right off the bat, and it really doesn’t get an easier the next eight weeks,” Maxwell acknowledged. “The key will be focusing on the team in front of us each week and then getting better each week. It’s a tough schedule for sure, so we are going to have to be ready to go starting August 29 and then every Friday after that.”
For now, the jamboree offered a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. With seasoned veterans, promising newcomers, and a coaching staff that knows how to win, Seneca and the rest of the field look primed for another memorable season. As the countdown to Week 1 continues, fans can only wonder: Who will rise to the top when the real games begin?
