After training all summer long, the Wright City football team is feeling confident heading into the season. 

The Wildcats lost a few key contributors, but also return some big playmakers and add some freshmen that will contribute for the Wildcats. 

Wright City returns both Mason Wendt and Duan McRoberts. Wendt was ranked top 50 for Missouri offensive linemen by Sports Illustrated and McRoberts was placed in the top 50 for running backs. 

“We lost some pretty talented seniors last year, but our incoming seniors and juniors have done a really good job of stepping up,” Head Coach Tyler Rickard said. “We’ve been able to fill some of those holes with talented guys that will be able to help us succeed.”

One of those seniors was Joey Gendron, their starting quarterback from last season, but Rickard is planning on having both junior Dayton Humphreys and McRoberts alternate. 

“We’ll utilize both of those guys and play to their strengths and just find ways to get our playmakers a ball on offense,” Rickard said. 

McRoberts has played some quarterback in past years and feels confident in that spot as well as running back. 

He noted the team’s run game, offense and screens are areas where the team is excelling in. Wendt, a senior, added the team’s leadership and coaching staff have shown to be some of the team’s strengths too. 

“Leadership is a big thing and we didn’t win a lot of games my freshman year because of lack of leadership,” Wendt said. “When the seniors stepped up my sophomore year, it carried over when it came to winning games. For me as a senior, we’re looking to have that leadership again this year.” 

Rickard said the team’s offense is a step ahead from where they were last year.

The Wildcats will be a predominantly older team, consisting of 59 players. This number has allowed players to get in more reps than past years and create competition that pushes the players to get better everyday. 

“I think we’re doing a great job competition-wise,” Rickard said. “We’re able to split up in those groups, so that’s breeding great competition at each of those levels and pushing us to be a little further ahead than where we’ve been in years past.” 

The team will be rallying around the mentality to take it week by week and win each week. Rickard added he wants the team to be efficient, prepared and utilize practice and film time when it comes to each game. 

“At the conclusion of the season, our record will be what it is at that point, but we want to focus on each week, one week at a time, and then let the future be what it is,” Rickard said. 

The Wildcats will play in their season opener against Warrenton on Aug. 30. Rickard said it will be a challenge, but a fun one that the team is prepared for.