A positive mindset helped Elijah Orris get a handle on his new surroundings at Ozark in time to start at outside linebacker for the Tigers’ Week One opener versus Carl Junction.
Orris transferred from Branson for his senior year. He had been a Pirate all the way through school until this summer.
He and his mother, Heather, made the move to Ozark after her office location at a call center was transferred from Branson to Springfield. Elijah’s father, Jon, passed away due to COVID two years ago.
“She’s pretty much my everything,” Elijah said of his mother. “Whatever she says, I’ll do my best to adjust and help her out.”
Orris already counted Ozark running back Ethan Sutherland, quarterback Brady Dodd and linebacker Brock Dodd as friends prior to joining them as teammates. He relates the rest of the Tigers have also been welcoming.
“They’ve taken me in and made me feel at home. It’s been nice,” Orris said. “It was difficult moving. But I think I’ve got adjusted well.”
Orris hopes to eventually join the slew of Tigers who are seeing time on both sides of the ball. For now, he’s getting more and more familiar with Ozark’s playbook.
“Learning the system has been really difficult, especially on the offensive side. I’m not playing a lot of offense now because of that,” he said. “I played a little outside linebacker at Branson, but a lot of free safety. Outside linebacker is a lot more physical. You have bigger guys coming at you and I’m not the biggest guy. It’s difficult, but you get used to it. It’s a day by day thing.”
Coach Chad Depee has been happy with Orris’ transition and immediate impact.
“I’m confident and hopeful he’s plugging into our culture and our brotherhood,” Depee said. “He played tough (against Carl Junction) and he’ll look at film and want to get better. That’s all we ask, for our guys to look for ways they can help and he’s one of those guys. He’s doing a great job for us.”
Naturally, Orris has Ozark’s Week Eight Oct. 14 at Branson circled on his calendar.
“Those are my guys I grew up with,” he said. “I can’t wait to see them. It will be fun. They have a new head coach and a lot of the old coaching staff left, so I won’t know any of the coaches. I’m excited to see how they do this season.”
