By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
WEBB CITY, Mo. — Three members of the once-beaten Webb City High School football team — Braxton Baker, Marc “Boo” Rodgers and Bart Starkey — signed football letters of intent on Wednesday.
Baker and Starkey basically are staying home. They signed with Missouri Southern State University of Joplin.
Rodgers followed brother Marty by signing with Southern Illinois University Carbondale of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Said Cardinal coach John Roderique: “You’re always happy for the players. You’re also proud of them for earning an opportunity to continue their education in addition to playing football.”
The 6-foot-1, 172-pound Rodgers, a three-year stalwart for the Cardinals, hopes to eventually play the same position — free safety — as his brother did for the Salukis.
Middle linebacker Starkey, a 6-2, 205-pounder, and running back Baker, a 6-0, 190-pounder, said they were recruited for those positions by the Lions.
All three players, naturally excited, said they were anticipating a red-shirt season for bulking up and seasoning.
Said a grinning Rodgers: “I’ll get on a heavy eating diet (at Carbondale) in the summer and lift and lift and lift. I’m going to have to bulk up in the weight room.”
Echoed Starkey: “I need to put on at least 20-25 pounds.”
Missouri Southern apparently was THE place for Baker.
“I liked the campus, the coaches and the program,” he said. “There are Webb City players already at Missouri Southern. I believe it’s a program that is starting to turn the corner and I want to help that progress continue. I want to help the Lions beat Pittsburg State.”
Baker, an all-stater, rushed for 1,603 yards and 23 touchdowns on 205 carries as a senior. Rodgers, an all-state defensive back as a junior, intercepted four passes as a senior. Starkey finished third on the team in total tackles.
Roderique’s 13th edition finished 13-1 with its loss to eventual champion Kearney in a Class 4 semifinal. It also was unbeaten in the Central Ozark Conference Large Division for the second year in a row.
Roderique is hopeful that “two or three” more of the seniors will play football in college.
