Ozark’s running game lost to graduation four stalwarts — Tylr Bolin, Cannon Cox, Ethan Pricthard and Thomas Rushing — who combined for 2,850 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.
Yet, the Tigers’ rushing attack was deep enough that coach Chad Depee has welcomed back two backup running backs who teamed for 612 yards on the ground and both averaged more than 8.0 yards a carry.
Senior Jake Beets, fresh from 350 yards rushing last season, and junior Jacob Kronebusch, who had 262 yards rushing a year ago, are starters now and eager to make much bigger contributions.
“Your first year of varsity, you just want to make sure you do your job,” Beets said while relating how he feels now compared to a year ago. “This year, I'm working on making the big plays because I know what to do now.”
Beets averaged 8.1 yards over 41 carries last year as a backup to Pritchard and Kronebusch averaged 8.2 yards over 32 carries while filling in for Bolin.
Although each enjoyed success, they also learned lessons the hard way.
Kronebusch, in particular, can remember getting barreled over by defenders on the occasions in which he approached the line of scrimmage running upright.
“If you don't get low, you're going to get hit hard and it's not going to feel good,” Kronebusch said. “You'll get the wind knocked out of you. I don't want to go through that again. I know I’ve got to run low.”
Beets can recall instances in which he wasn’t able to utilize his quickness and shake a defender like he felt he should have.
“I kept trying to juke (defenders) when they were only like a yard from me and they would get my feet,” Beets said. “My timing needs to be better. I need to juke earlier.
“I’d like to get the ball in the open field more than last year and try to make people miss more this year,” he added.
Depee notes the 5-foot-8, 160-pound Beets offers Ozark many strengths with or without the ball.
“Beets is the guy we will look for in our slot position, where you've got to do everything,” Depee said. “You've got to block, run with the ball and catch a pass. He fits the bill. He does an excellent job blocking and will surprise you when he has the ball in his hands. He's got good lateral movement to him and has a quick burst. He's tough. He's what you ask for in a running back.”
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Kronebusch gives the Tigers a combination of power and speed. Don’t sleep on his breakaway potential. He had Ozark’s longest run from scrimmage last season by bursting free for an 85-yard touchdown run against Nixa.
“(Bolin) taught me how to be explosive off the ball,” Kronebusch said. “I can break away for quite a few yards if I get out in the open field.”
“He's a big, tough kid and will hit the hole hard,” Depee said. “If he can get out in the open field, he can get it going.”
