GOODLAND, KS — Even though year one under Jordan Moshier only resulted in two wins for the Goodland Football program the 2021 season ended on a high note routing Council Grove 56-0 to win their first ever non-playoff “bowl game.”
Now the hope is that late-season momentum from last fall carries over here into 2022. And thru the summer it did as the Cowboys had a solid showing at the Fort Hays State team camp back in June. Coach Moshier said the team kind of surprised itself with how well it performed against teams like Hays High & others and said there was a lot of really good things taken out of that camp.
“We learned that we’re going to be ok. There are plenty of things to correct and mistakes made but there were a lot of really good things we took out of that camp as well.” Moshier said.
The Cowboys return a majority of its backfield with guys who have played quite a bit of varsity ball. Highlighted by senior Mason Hernandez who moves from wingback to the tailback position and will be shouldered with even more of the offensive load than last year and that is saying something. As Hernandez accounted for 41% of the Cowboys offensive production from a season ago as well as 13 total touchdowns. But the All-GWAC honorable mention back seems primed for the challenge after a great summer in the weight room.
Also back are key pieces like Manny Gonzalez, Brysun Waters, Kyan Ensign, Maverick Spresser & Gentry Deeds. All of who will be leaned on to make plays here in 2022. Sophomore Linkon Cure & Freshman Chayton Goodwin are a couple of guys who will be looked at to make plays as well this season. Cure in the passing game as a wide receiver and Goodwin as a backup wingback.
As experienced as the backfield is for GHS the offensive line will be learning on the fly with four new starters up front after having lost All-GWAC player Dexter Dautlel as well as Jackson Griffith & Gantzen Miller. Senior & lone returner Harrison Bhend & sophomore Rhett Ihrig will be leaned on heavily at the tackle spots with senior Angel Lazo anchoring the line at center.
Hopefully, another year in the system will help result in more offensive success for Goodland who was held to just 15 PPG & just 214 total yards a year ago.
As for the defense, many guys will be playing new positions after coaches made a few changes to the scheme during the off-season.
Brysun Waters has moved to the d-line giving GHS not the biggest line size wise but they hope to be quick & fast and will cause disruption that way. The strength of the D should be in the back seven with lots of experience back there highlighted by a secondary that has four guys who have played a ton of ball. Rhett Ihrig will be a key part of the defense playing the MIKE linebacker spot.
The schedule is a bit different this year than it has been the past year for GHS with a pair of Colorado teams to open the year and then the district being all GWAC foes (instead of head far east) and that gives the team some confidence.
“I think we can get a playoff game, not just that ninth game, but a true playoff game,” said senior Mason Hernandez.
If GHS were to make the playoffs it would be for the first time since 2013.
Goodland opens the 2022 season on September 2nd at Wray (CO).
Be sure to catch all of the Goodland football season on 102.5 U-Rock with Ross Volkmer & Chase Topliff.
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Head Coach Jordan Moshier
Senior Mason Hernandez
Senior's Maverick Spresser & Harrison Bhend
PHOTO CREDIT: Jackie Elliott