Coach: CODY HILBURN

2024 Record: 13-1

SCHEDULE
8-29 – at Cassville
9-5 – at Mt. Vernon
9-12 – vs. Nevada
9-19 – at Monett
9-26 – vs. Aurora
10-3 – vs. Carl Junction
10-10 – at Mac County
10-17 – vs. East Newton
10-24 – at Lamar

OFFENSE
After winning a district championship and taking runner-up honors in the state finals, the Seneca Indians and head coach Cody Hilburn poised and ready to take on another tough schedule and compete for another chance at history. “Every game is big in the Big 8. You have to show up every Friday ready to compete,” said coach Hilburn. Gone are defensive end Nolan Napier and wide receiver Tyrone Harris. Both lost to schools at the next level. However, the Indians do return several players from an offense that averaged 50 points a game with over 400 yards rushing and 100 yards through the air. “We have a strong senior class coming back that have a lot of experience in high level football games,” said coach Hilburn.
First Team All-Big 8 Conference running back Roman Miller (5- 10, 205, Sr.) is back and is one of the top two-way starters in the state. Miller is key to the Indians offense and someone they can depend on to move the chains. Miller rushed for 1,711 yards and 27 touchdowns last year, all while taking every snap on defense. Another superior athlete is Brodie Probert (6-1, 195, Sr.) who is an all-purpose back that can make things happen in every aspect of the game. Probert rushed for 1,014 yards and played several
positions last season. This year Probert will play quarterback, while showing he is one of the top
defensive secondary players in the state. “We’ve got a lot of talented guys returning and none of the are
happy about the outcome of last season. Our guys have tunnel vision and ultimately a goal to flip
the outcome of last season. I’m pumped to see our hard work pay off this upcoming season,” said
Probert. Miller added, “I feel like a lot of other programs would be happy with the outcome of our last few seasons, but we are not. We have one goal in mind and that is to win state. I feel like none of us will
be satisfied until that is achieved. That has become the standard in the valley.” Drew Sherwood (6-1, 170, Sr.) is another weapon the Indian have on the roster. Sherwood will handle the kicking duties while
playing wide receiver on offense and DB on defense. Also look for Hunter Hanes (5-7, 150, Sr.) and
Blaze Graham (5-9, 175, Sr.). Both guys can fly and know how to stretch a defense.

DEFENSE
“We return seven defensive starters from last year’s team. We hope to be very sound and play a fast and physical brand of football,” said coach Hilburn. The defense does not like to give up points. Last season they only allowed 14 points a game on average and just over 100 yards of rushing and passing.
Jace Renfro (5-8, 210, Sr.) will get a lot of attention at tackle. Also a center on offense, Renfro grabbed
several post season honors as a junior. Kye Adams (5-11, 225, Sr.) will fly around the field making
plays at linebacker with Brock Pendergraft (5-10, 205, Sr.) putting the pressure on from his
defensive end spot. Both guys are expected to have big years. “I’m excited to get back out there
and compete. We’ll need some young guys to step up and fill some holes that were left by last
year’s seniors, which are some pretty big shoes to fill. I know that if we keep finding ways to score,
we will be successful,” said Renfro. Other players to watch include Jude King (5-8, 190, Sr.) at LB/TE,
Gentry Barnes (6-6, 270, Sr.) at OL/DL, Jagger Wilson (5-11, 170, Jr.) at WR/DB, Brant Laughlin (5-
7, 160, Jr.) at QB/DB, Stone Oilar (5-5, 135, Sr.) at WR/DB, Kyden Pettyjohn (5-8, 180, Sr.) at OL/
DL, and Silas Ball (5-8, 175, Jr.) at RB/LB. Other players expected to have an impact include Landyn Hartje (Jr.), Jeffery Todd (Jr.), Easton Hanes (Jr.), Aiden Crane (Jr.), Ryder Owens (Jr.), Kade Finley (Jr.), Rush
Crane (Jr.), and Chris Lopez (Jr.).