By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
SAVANNAH - The Savannah football team saw great success in 2022- its first season under head coach Anthony Hays.
The Savages achieved just their third 10-win season since 2011 and fell five points short of a district title. The only team they lost to all year was Maryville. Twice. By a combined 16 points.
Senior running Cade Chappell would love nothing more than to win back that Highway 71 sign before he graduates.
A sign that hasn't been in Savannah's possession for 12 years.
"It means so much to me," Chappell said of that rivalry. "It's at the top of my bucket list for sure."
Savannah lost several talented seniors from last year, but they return many capable and experienced players, including Chappell, who rushed for 2298 yards and 30 touchdowns in an all-state campaign last season.
Chappell believes the ceiling for this team’s success is higher than it was last fall.
"We're a lot better than last year and we're definitely a lot more...we're into it for sure," he said. "The attitude is there for sure. I just know we're going to have a lot better season. A lot better season this year."
Also back is last year's leading receiver Zayden Snapp. A senior this year, Snapp led the Savages last season with 25 catches for 570 yards and six scores.
"I'm feeling really confident," said Snapp. "We have a bunch of leaders stepping up who were big juniors last year. We're playing as a team right now and we're ready to roll this season."
Chappell and Snapp are the headliners, but second-year head coach Anthony Hays says there are some other aces tucked up the sleeves of the coaching staff.
"We have other athletes that you have to respect," Hays said. "A Zayden Snapp on the edge, you have to respect that. We have some other receivers that I'm really excited about that we can get the ball in space to. We even have some other backs that I feel we can get the ball to."
Savannah will have a new starting quarterback this season with Ethan Dudeck now graduated. Sophomore Aiden Knechtenhoffer takes the reigns after being Dudeck's backup last year. He also started under center for the freshmen team.
Knechtenhoffer rushed for 274 yards and four scores in varsity action in 2022.
On defense, Savannah returns each of their top three tacklers - linebackers Cooper Swan, Kaden Calloway and Landon Noland.
Jayce Brushwood, Micah McFadden and McClane Johnson are defensive starters who'll have to be replaced, but Hays has ample faith in those who are back.
"We lost some great kids like Truman Bodenhausen, Alex Hopper, Ethan Dudeck," said Hays. "Good team leaders, good football players. But, we have a lot coming back to where I feel like we have good leadership and talent on the field."
With this now being the second year of the Hays era at Savannah, there's now an established familiarity and culture, which has allowed the Savages to hit the ground running a lot faster than the year prior.
"The kids know what we expect out of them and they of course know the playbook a lot better," said Hays. "I feel like we're lightyears ahead. Our message is to not get complacent. Like, 'Alright we know our plays and know what we're supposed to do' and just go through the motions. But, to get even better and perfect it."
Savannah will be a new participant this year in the St. Joseph city jamboree on August 18 at Spratt Stadium, competing against Benton, Lafayette and Central.
"We felt like we were a natural fit with LeBlond not being in it anymore," Hays noted. "The St. Joe athletic directors and coaches were gracious enough to let us in. So, it's a cool atmosphere and we're grateful to be a part of it."
Savannah officially opens the season by playing Portageville at Ozark High School on August 25.
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