Southern Boone bringing ‘competitive nature’ into year two under Mark Ross
ASHLAND, Mo. (KMIZ)
Southern Boone football coach Mark Ross has had a full offseason to prepare for the 2023 season, unlike in his first year in Ashland. He said his team is bringing a natural competitiveness to the upcoming season, from top to bottom.
The former Marceline head coach was hired in May of 2022, just months before his first season at helm of Eagle football kicked off. This time around, he's had a full offseason to prepare for action.
"There's just been little things throughout the course of the summer that, you know, the kids kind of know the expectations and the things we're trying to accomplish," he said. "I think they've done a really nice job transitioning this year and we had a great summer."
Southern Boone went 5-6 in 2022 and will look to improve upon that in the upcoming season. Ross said, whether it's a senior or a freshman, all of his guys have brought a competitive nature to practice. He added that the Eagles have quite a bit of expereince coming back, both on offense and defense.
One of those offensive returns will be quarterback Austin Evans. Ross said getting to work with Evans for a full offseason has been important. When Ross first got to Ashland, he only had so many months to work with Evans before the season started. He said that now the quarterback has a more total understanding of the offense and the nuances of it.
Evans said working with Coach Ross in the offseason was important for him.
"We sit down and talk about reading defenses, all that. That's the biggest thing for me because last year was my first year, it was all new to me," Evans said.
Evans also pointed out the competitiveness and talent that the Eagles have brought to the 2023 roster.
"Last year, we showed what we could be, but we weren't quite there yet. But, this year I think we really got it," he said.
The Eagles are undergoing some changes this summer. The athletic department is installing a brand new, turf field for 2023. Southern Boone's first home game is slated for Sept. 15 against Boonville, which is when the program will unveil the summer's work.
"We're fired up for that project to be done," Ross said. "We're really blessed with the opportunity to be on a field like that and just an overall facility upgrade for all the programs. We're really excited."
Before that, the Southern Boone Eagles will kick off the season on August 25 at 7 p.m. at Odessa.
