Nixa coach John Perry did his best in the pre-season to warn COC opponents of Eagles sophomore wide receiver Rylan Michel.
“People are going to fall asleep on him because of his size. He's small in stature, but can fly,” Perry predicted.
In preparation for this week’s Backyard Brawl, Ozark would be wise to read that bit of prophecy. Apparently Republic and Neosho didn’t get the memo. Over the past two weeks alone, Michel burned Republic and Neosho for touchdowns covering 85, 29 and 63 yards.
Unlike many of Nixa’s speedsters, Michel isn’t a sprinter on Nixa’s track team. He’s busy in the spring patrolling the outfield as a bright prospect for the Eagles’ baseball team.
But with a mindset of maximizing his skills, Michel had the intent in the off-season of making himself faster and quicker. He would join elite sprinters the likes of Ozark grad Sydney Johnson by working with former Missouri State track coach Ron Boyce.
“He’s amazing,” Michel said. “I do speed-training with him in the winter.”
Michel was introduced to Boyce by his aunt.
“She had me hook up with him and it has gotten me so much faster,” Michel said.
Michel would meet with Boyce five days a week.
“We would lift two days a week and run three days a week. It was about getting stronger and faster,” Michel said. “He wanted to improve my breakout speed, so he would have me run short sprints. It’s helped me a whole lot.”
