Panthers’ football ready to make some noise in 2024

A new era of Mountain Grove football kicks off at home on Friday night when head coach Dan Swofford leads his alma mater into a tough battle against powerhouse Fair Grove.
Coach Swofford brings to the Panthers a 108-42 overall coaching record that includes a 2019 trip to the Class 2 State Championship game in a season where he earned Missouri Coach of the Year honors.
He most recently was coaching with Evangel University, where his son, Nate, is a stand-out player for the Valor.
“I am very excited to be back in my hometown and look forward to the challenges ahead,” Coach Swofford said.
The Panthers are coming off an 8-4 season that ended in a district championship loss to Coach Swofford’s former team, the Ava Bears.
Offensively, the Panthers’ strengths will be at key skill positions like quarterback and receiver.
Returning under center will be junior quarterback Aden Estep, who earned first-team All-District honors a season ago.
Senior Brayden Haughey will provide a 6’3” receiving target, who is also the team’s first-team All-South Central Association (SCA) Conference punter.
Another returning starter includes All-SCA offensive lineman Dameon Martin.
Defensively, the Panthers will look to a lot of new faces on the field who are expected to see big minutes in 2024.
The coaches are looking to the speed and quickness of their players to be a strength of the defense. Though the defense is expected to look different, its main focus will be attacking the other team’s offense.
All in all, key returners on both side of the ball includes seniors Wyatt Fry, Dustin Unger and Cooper Hoerning along with Damion Martin, Josh Metty, Sam Smith and Kaden Murphy.
A long list of newcomers into the varsity spotlight will be looking to make this year a special one for the Panthers.
The players include seniors Josiah Schott (DL) and Jaxson Proctor (DB), along with Braydon Curtiss (LB/RB), Brody Emery (RB/DB), Kale Gardner (WO), Eli Golden (RB/DB), Slade Rodgers (DL), Leedy Curtis (DB), Joey Hickcox (DB), Ayden Barbe (OL), Aiden Kumpula (DB) and Taylor Garner (OL).
Though on the surface the Panthers have a rebuilding year ahead of them with a new football staff and moving players into newer roles in some cases, Coach Swofford anticipates some growing pains early in the season before things continue to get better and better as the season progresses, setting the Panthers up for a great 2024.
Three seniors gave their take on the season ahead.
“We want to prove doubters wrong,” said senior Cooper Hoerning. “We have a lot of athletes who want to step up and take the spots of guys who have moved on. I think we will really surprise people this year. By the end of the year, we will be a force to be reckoned with.”
“I think Mountain Grove football has been a bunch of hard-nosed football players who work and love the game,” said senior Wyatt Fry. “We have worked hard in the weight room and it has been really hyped up and we plan to take it to the field. But really it’s about our heart and playing as a team. If we play as a team, great things will happen.”
“For the upcoming season, I feel good about our new offense being implemented,” said senior Josiah Schott. “Defensively, we will be more aggressive than years past and the focused work in the weight room will pay off. Most importantly, I feel like this year we are closer as a team. By being more of a family, we can encourage each other and keep the energy up.”