Beavers’ coach happy with team’s attitude, senior leadership

With just five starters returning this season, the Glen Rose Beavers are scratching to find players to fill the spots left by a senior class that graduated 14 in the spring.

“One thing I have liked has been our attitude at our team camps and workouts,” head coach Mark Kehner said. “We do have a good returning senior class that has taken over the leadership of the team.

“They are doing their part to get ready to replace a lot of starters that we lost to keep our program where we expect it to be.”

Last season, Glen Rose finished 12-2, making it to the semifinals for the first time since 2013.

Two running backs expected to make an impact for the Beavers this year are senior Ryan Taylor and junior Jay’shawn Cox.

“They are two really good running backs who are kind of going back and forth and competing this summer,” Kehner said.

Cox rushed for 702 yards on 116 caries with four touchdowns last season and had 26 carries for 207 yards with two touchdowns.

Leading the way up front is senior offensive lineman Hunter Church.

“He is a big kid, probably 6-3, 280 pounds, and a very good football player,” Kehner said. “He will anchor down the other four guys who are going to be new to us.

“They have had a good summer but haven’t really nailed down the other four spots yet.”

Kehner is moving senior wide receiver Jarred Rogers to quarterback after sophomore J.T. Towers will miss the beginning of the year as a result of injuries he sustained in a car wreck in January.

“We are working with [Jarred] this summer,” Kehner said. “He is a great receiver and has been offered by [Ouachita Baptist University] already.

“He is a great athlete, just hasn’t played quarterback yet.”

As a junior, Rogers hauled in 30 catches for 448 yards with one touchdown.

Defensively, Rogers and senior corner Adam Day are the only two returning starters.

“The thing about our kids who are stepping into these starting roles, they might not have started last year, but they have played a lot of football,” Kehner said. “It is not like we are putting 10th-graders out there.”

Zane Yardage, who moves from wide receiver to secondary this season, and senior defensive end Carson Fite are expected to lead Glen Rose.

“Zane is a very intelligent kid ,”

Kehner said.