The Pierce City football program is entering a pivotal season after a 4‑7 record the previous year, but the team is poised for a turnaround. Head coach Jim Genzler has emphasized that improved attendance and a better player experience are central to the club’s new identity, promising a more explosive offense and a stronger sense of community around the program.
A Deep Returning Core
Eighteen starters return, giving the squad a rare continuity that Coach Genzler believes will translate into on‑field chemistry. The roster features a blend of seasoned upperclassmen and emerging talent, all of whom are expected to shoulder larger roles in the upcoming campaign.
Among the most anticipated contributors are junior quarterback Dyllan Kleiboeker, who amassed 1,620 rushing yards and 289 receiving yards last season, and senior receiver Landon Iman, a first‑team all‑conference selection with 50 catches for 709 yards and nine touchdowns. Versatile playmaker Landon Stanphill, the team’s fastest player, returns after recovering from injury, while linebacker Cruz Ibarra, also a first‑team all‑conference honoree, will add depth at running back.
The depth chart also includes linemen such as Lincoln Jones, Luke Eaton, and Max Brown, as well as a host of seniors — Walker Earl, Caiden Haworth, Ayden Williams, Crae Salsman, Chris Johnson, Paxton Elliot, Cash Raley, Layne Bloss, Mason Hyde, Payton Pendleton, Chersoua Yang, Brock Flehmer, Joey Farmer, Ethan Warner, Briar Birchfield, Isaac Yeoman, Parker Myers, and Joe Velten — who are all expected to contribute across both offense and defense.
Schedule and Outlook
Pierce City will open the season with a jamboree against the Glendale Falcons on August 21, followed by a home matchup against the Houston Eagles on August 28. Coach Genzler predicts the offense will be faster and more aggressive this year, leveraging the experience of more than 20 upperclassmen to generate momentum early in the schedule.
Beyond the X’s and O’s, the program is banking on heightened community support. Increased attendance at games is seen as a barometer for player morale, and the coaching staff believes that a more engaged fan base will further elevate the team’s performance throughout the season.