After a historical 11-1 season, the Warrenton football team is anticipating even more success this year. 

The Warriors return 17 starters and have about 68 players on their roster. They are currently very junior and senior heavy, which has allowed for many players to take on a leadership role. 

“Starting off the summer was a lot different than the past because so many questions were answered and we knew a lot of our positions coming in,” Head Coach Jason Koper said. 

Warrenton returned quite a few notable players. Sports Illustrated ranked Kadin Stroer in the top 40 Missouri linebackers. Mason Thompson ranked top 40 for wide receivers. Javon Jones was top 40 for defensive linemen and Austin Haas ranked in the top 50 for running backs. 

The team also ranked seventh in preseason small school rankings.  

The Warriors will have four senior captains this year: Austin Haas, Kadin Stroer, Peyton Dawson and Brandon Johnson, with Johnson moving into the quarterback position. 

Koper noted that Johnson took over this role early in July and has done a great job executing the offense since. 

While the off-season has looked a little different due to the amount of returners, Koper also noticed the vast difference in where they are at now skillswise. 

Before their jamboree on Aug. 23 Koper said, “Here we are not even Week 1 yet and I feel like in a lot of ways we are where we were Week 7 or Week 8 last year.” 

Senior wide receiver Mason Thompson added the team’s mindset has shifted. 

“In prior years, no one took it as seriously as we do now and no one brought it upon themselves to put in the work we’ve put in the last couple years,” he said.

Thompson will be entering his third year on the varsity level and is looking to break the program records for career receiving yardage and receiving touchdowns, something he is close to surpassing. 

A senior running back, Haas added the team’s bond and their physicality is what has lifted them. 

“We look out for each other and we care more about the little stuff,” Haas said. “When we take care of the little stuff, the bigger stuff just comes with it.” 

Koper went on to say all of his big playmakers from last year, along with some new additions have had great summers and they “haven’t really missed a beat.” 

The Warriors plan on having the same mentality as last year by taking it one game at a time. The goal is to go 1-0 every week and eventually good things will happen. 

“We talked about season goals as a team in May and we haven’t talked about them since. We just try to take one team at a time,” Koper said. 

The team will start their season on Aug. 30 against Wright City at home.  

“I’ve tried to eliminate that [rivalry] mindset and just focus on getting better as Warrenton Warriors,” Koper said. “It’s going to be a good game and it’s going to be good for our communities and I’m looking forward to establishing that.”