Class 5 bump could boost veteran Pirates

SOPHOMORE MALACHI DANIELS figures prominently in Branson coach Steve Hancock’s plans for the Pirates in 2010.
Pat Dailey | Branson Tri-Lakes News

By Pat Dailey
Sports Editor
Originally published Nov. 18, 2009

Giving every indication of returning next summer and fall to coach Branson for a 25th season, Steve Hancock looks ahead to 2010 quizzically and optimistically.

The Pirates will actually learn much about their future in the middle of off-season training. In late January or early February, they will find out if they’ve been bumped in classification to Class 5. Indications are Branson will make such a jump.

“We’re anxious to see where we wind up in classification,” Hancock said. “When that comes out, our schedule will come together. Things could change considerably.

“We’re going to be on the border. We’ll see which border we end up on.”

It would be understandable if Branson is rooting to be Class 5, even if it meant being one of Class 5’s smallest schools. The last two seasons, the Pirates’ playoff runs have been halted by Class 4 juggernaut Webb City.

If Branson is in Class 5, the Pirates figure to be paired up with Ozark and Nixa in a district.

Whether Branson meets Ozark in districts or simply in Central Ozark Conference Large Schools Division play, Hancock is looking forward to renewing the Pirates’ rivalry with the Tigers. They didn’t face each other the last two seasons.

“There’s no reason we shouldn’t be playing each other,” Hancock said. “That needs to happen.”

The returnees from Branson’s 6-5 outfit will be joined by up-and-comers from the Pirates’ 5-3 jayvee bunch.

“Our jayvee has had two solid years in a row and we’ve got a pretty good nucleus (from the varsity) coming back,” Hancock said. “We’ve got a good combination of experienced skill kids and linemen coming back.”

For the second straight season, Branson’s offensive backfield will be made up of veterans. Quarterback Cameron Chancey has made 14 starts, fullback Brandon Mahoney has 1,083 career rushing yards and running back Malachi Daniels has nine career touchdowns.

Also, Isaac Johnston has seen time at fullback.

Daniels and Mahoney gave every sign they’re on the verge of big things.

“Malachi got more reps as the season went on this year, and if it wasn’t for the fact we had good people in front of him he would have got a bunch more carries,” Hancock said. “He had a very quality year.

“He has very good instincts running the ball and other things you can’t coach. I look for him to help us out on both sides of the ball. He’s a hard worker. He’s got a great attitude, all the things we look for.

“Brandon came on strong at the end of the year. He had some breakaways late. He also improved doing the things we ask of him when he isn’t running the ball.

“I liked the way our offense came together this year and Cameron was a big part of that. He had a quality year throwing the ball and a very good year rushing.”

Hancock expects Mahoney and Chancey to cut down on their turnovers. Mahoney had eight fumbles and lost five. Chancey was intercepted 11 times.

“That was something we were disappointed in offensively,” Hancock said. “It’s something we worked hard at every day in practice. Fumbles and interceptions are two things we have to improve on.”

Jordan Brown, Cory French and Shaun McGuire will provide depth in the backfield.

The offense will also have experience in wideout Paul Stevens, center Blake Caruthers and fellow linemen Jake McSpadden, Kelly Malloy and Mitch Mulvaney.

Malloy is expected to come back from the vertebrae injury that curtailed his junior season after six games.

“We anticipate him being fine,” Hancock said. “He’s feeling a lot better now.”

A huge void will be at the two tight end spots.

“We lose two good ones,” Hancock said.

Brandon Frans, Austin Ford and Ian Thomas will be among the candidates to step in for Michael Spain and Jeremy Mahoney.

A defense that didn’t penetrate much this season will welcome back Malloy and 6-foot-3, 270-pound noseguard Ian Knell up front. The latter improved dramatically.

“It was good for him to get experience,” Hancock said. “We need to get him more mobile and lower his body level. He can create a lot of havoc with this size.”

At linebacker, Johnston, Brandon Mahoney and Daniels will be back. Mahoney has shown he can also line up at guard. Hancock thinks Brown, Frans and Roland Peebles will see time there also.

As generous as the defense was this season, Hancock bids a sad adieu to cornerbacks Justin Foltz and Keegan Boyd and safeties Tee Helsel and Chase Shields.

“We had one of the best secondaries I can ever remember us having,” Hancock said.

Stevens will be the leader in secondary next season. He’ll be joined by some combination of French, Caleb Braun, Bryce Huddleston, Chris Andress, Austin Gibson, Matt Gibson and Josh Gardner.

Punting and kicking will be big question marks, as well. Johnston, Brown and Mahoney could be the answers.

Hancock likes the mindset he expects the Pirates to have.

“No doubt, Webb City will be the team to beat (in the COC Large Schools Division),” he said. “We’ve competed well against them the last two years on the ninth grade and jayvee levels. And, we hope our last game (a 40-21 Regional loss) with them showed the kids we can compete with them.

“Hopefully, that will reinforce in the kids’ minds that they can compete with anybody when they work hard and execute.”