Tolton returns experienced group coming off of best season in seven years

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

After their most wins in seven seasons, the Father Tolton football team is returning an experienced group in 2023, with goals of reaching further into postseason play.

Former Mizzou football player Michael Egnew is entering year six at the helm of the Trailblazers. Egnew said Wednesday he's excited about the number of guys that are returning.

"This is the most guys I've ever had on a roster here at Tolton," said Egnew. "My first year, we had 17 and now we have close to 50."

Watch the full interview with Egnew in the player below.

Part of the group returning includes senior quarterback Jake Ryan and his brother, wide receiver Sam Ryan. Some of the upperclassmen are apart of the group that was with the program for two one-win seasons in 2019 and 2020.

"Our quarterback can really whip it, we have receivers that can catch the ball and all of our lineman are returning," Egnew said. "Some of the guys that are seniors this year were here when we weren't winning any games."

With Egnew's team having more success in 2022 with a 7-3 record, they have some bigger milestones that they're working towards this season.

"Well we'd like to have more post season wins for sure," Egnew said. "We ended up losing the first round of the playoffs last year, to a good team in North Callaway. Credit goes to them, they played well, but for us we want to go longer in the postseason."

Tolton will kick off the season on Aug. 25 at home against Salisbury at 7 p.m.