By Jim Henry
jhenry@joplinglobe.com
Jared Brawner, the leading tackler on Missouri Southern’s defense in 2007, returns to anchor a veteran linebacker corps.
Brawner, 6-foot-1, 237-pound junior from Kirksville, Mo., registered 98 tackles (48 solo, 48 assists) last season. He also led the Lions with 14 tackles for loss for minus-52 yards, and his 3.5 quarterback sacks shared team honors with defensive lineman Elbert Johnson, who graduated.
Brawner was named second team all-MIAA. His 8.7 tackles per game tied for second in the league behind Washburn linebacker Zach Watkins, and Brawner’s 14 tackles for loss tied for seventh in the league.
Rudy Mascaro and Antwan Dyer are returning starters at the outside linebacker positions.
Dyer, a senior, was the Lions’ No. 4 tackler with 50 stops. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles to earn honorable mention all-league honors.
Mascaro, a junior, made 41 tackles, including six for losses.
“The strength of the group is their experience,” Lions linebacker coach Raleigh Jackson said. “They’ve played a lot of games. Brawner is a third-year starter, Rudy will be starting his third year, and Antwan played in every game last year.
“I’ve been impressed with their overall knowledge of the game. They were well-coached. Coach (Daryl) Daye, our defensive coordinator, coached the linebackers last year, so my job is relatively easy. We’re just working on a few nuances of the game. They have a chance to be pretty good players.”
Backups include a quartet of sophomores — Dusty Bratzler, Josh Woodard, Marcus Cook and Zach McFerren.
Jackson, a two-time all-state linebacker from Orangeburg, S.C., is in his first year on the Lions’ staff. He coached defensive ends last year at Goose Creek (S.C.) High School under former Baylor coach Chuck Reedy.
Jackson was a four-year letterman at the Citadel. In 2006, his senior year, he was a starter and helped the Citadel to its first winning record in the Southern Conference in 15 years.
“I look for guys who are downhill players, very aggressive,” Jackson said. “Guys who are heady and smart, who know what’s going on in the front and also what’s going on behind them. I want guys who are natural leaders.”
Sports
Related Photos
Discussion
MSSU position coach likes experience of linebackers
- Sports
-
-
Hornets' late charities sting Joplin
Springfield Hillcrest overcame a one-point Joplin lead by making eight of 10 free throws late in the fourth quarter and defeated the Eagles 64-56 Tuesday night at Young Gymnasium.
-
Williams, Lions entertain Gorillas
Time certainly flies when you’re having fun.
Just ask Missouri Southern guard T.J. Williams. -
MSSU women face league-leading Pittsburg State
After three frustrating losses, the smiles returned to the faces of Missouri Southern’s women’s basketball team with Saturday night’s 83-73 victory over Missouri Western.
-
Brown sparks Webb City past Willard
Nate Brown scored 27 points as the Webb City Cardinals hiked their record to 17-6 overall and 3-1 in the Central Ozark Conference Large Division with a 76-60 victory over Willard on Tuesday night.
-
JHS' Ryan Davidson signs with Central Arkansas
Distance runner Ryan Davidson of Joplin signed a national letter of intent Tuesday to continue his athletic career at the University of Central Arkansas at Conway.
-
OCC rolls past Calvary 94-61
Five Ozark Christian players scored in double figures and the Ambassadors shot a sizzling second-half percentage to whip Calvary Bible 94-61 Tuesday night in a Midwest Christian College Conference basketball game at OCC.
-
Lawsuit: George Brett falsely advertises necklaces
Lawyers are seeking class-action status for a lawsuit that claims Hall of Fame slugger George Brett has been falsely advertising necklaces and bracelets as being able to help improve health and sports performance.
-
Chiefs hoping for continuity with Daboll as OC
As Kansas City’s fifth offensive coordinator in four years, Brian Daboll says he knows the value of continuity.
-
AP Source: Big East moving toward adding Memphis
A person familiar with the talks says the Big East is in discussions with Memphis about the Tigers joining the league in all sports.
-
WADA urges Feds to hand over Armstrong info
The World Anti-Doping Agency on Tuesday urged U.S. federal authorities to quickly hand over evidence collected in their lengthy probe into seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and doping in American cycling.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Raw Video: Giants Celebrate Another Super Bowl
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Greek Leaders Seek Deal As Bankruptcy Looms
Bernanke: Recovery Depends on Consumer Spending
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Eastwood in Super Bowl Ad 'Compassionate'
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
