After a 4-7 season in 2025, the Pierce City Eagles enter the new football campaign with a more experienced group and a clear sense of what it takes to improve as the season progresses. Head coach Jim Genzler, in his third year at the school, guided a young team that had to replace 11 seniors. The Eagles’ priority was to play their best football late in the year, and they responded by winning their first district game against Ash Grove before falling to Thayer in the district semifinals. That finish provides a useful foundation as this year’s team looks to turn experience into consistency.

Pierce City returns a number of players with meaningful two-way experience. Senior tight end and linebacker Cruz Ibarra has started both ways for the past two seasons. A talented, hard-working player, Ibarra will be counted on as a leader. Senior Crae Salsman is an athletic lineman who started both ways last season, while senior Caiden Haworth returns after earning his first starting role and putting in extensive work during the offseason. Both will be important up front on offense and defense.

Speed and toughness also stand out among the Eagles’ veterans. Senior Landen Stanphill is the team’s fastest player and is looking for a breakout year after a season-ending injury cut short his previous campaign. He is slated to help at wide receiver and defensive back. At 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, senior Luke Eaton is a two-way tight end and linebacker described as one of the team’s toughest players.

Junior Dyllan Kleiboeker steps into the quarterback position after playing since his freshman year. His athleticism and prior experience give the Eagles a key figure on offense, while he will also contribute in the secondary. With Ibarra, Salsman, Haworth, Stanphill, Eaton and Kleiboeker forming an experienced core, Pierce City has leadership at several positions. Genzler and assistants Jedd Anderson, Quincy Jackson, Taylor Genzler and Scott Smith will look to help that group establish the standard as the Eagles pursue another strong finish when the schedule reaches its most important stretch. The focus will remain on daily improvement, positive leadership and doing the small things that help the entire team move forward together.

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