Webb City High School enters the 2026 season under head coach Ryan McFarland determined to take the next step after a solid 7-4 campaign that included a 3-2 mark and third-place finish in the Central Ozark Conference West. The Cardinals averaged 36.6 points per game while allowing 26.5, with regular-season losses only to Nixa, Carthage and Republic, three of the state’s stronger programs. McFarland remains proud of that group’s effort but stresses the need to consistently beat those same contenders.
“We’ve got a great senior class and they’ve worked really hard,” McFarland said ahead of the 2026 season. “They’re developing into really good leaders and we’re just excited to get our senior class out there and let them lead us and see where we can go.”
The offense will again feature a powerful ground attack built around an experienced offensive line. Three-year starters Louden Bolinger (All-State, All-Area, first-team All-District) and Kayle Chrismon (second-team COC, All-District) anchor the unit alongside returning contributors Caleb Meinershagen and Grayson Gannaway. Bolinger, a state wrestling runner-up and elite shot-putter, leads a group that has logged extensive snaps together. New quarterback Mason Young, a multi-sport athlete transitioning from defense, brings size, athleticism and football IQ to the option scheme. Running backs Drake Claborn (who showed promise late last season), Barek Hoffman (moved from defense and among the team’s fastest players) and Austin Arft provide a versatile committee behind the line.
Defensively, experience is plentiful. Linebackers River Lenker (second-team COC, All-District, All-Area) and Ethan Keller return as three-year starters, while the line has added size and depth after being undersized a year ago. Players such as Aiden Wiles, Joaquin Escoto and Brylan Terry, plus two-way contributions from Bolinger and Chrismon, should help the unit become more physical and better on third downs. Depth and Friday-night experience across the roster are viewed as strengths after younger players gained valuable reps in recent seasons.
A close-knit senior class emphasizing tradition, offseason strength gains and chemistry will set the tone. With a demanding COC slate against Republic, Carthage, Neosho and Joplin plus non-conference tests such as Glendale in Week 1, the Cardinals, backed by 16 state titles, aim to play their best football late and elevate from good to great through fundamentals and physicality.
