Illinois began its high school football season a week sooner than Missouri’s last week. That forced Russ Schmidt to wear both hats as De Soto’s head football coach and activities director.
The Dragons played Freeburg, Ill., to start the last two seasons, but the early start in Illinois forced Schmidt to find another Week 1 opponent. Also needing a Week 1 opponent, St. Vincent and De Soto officials came to an agreement to kick off the next two seasons against each other. The private school from Perryville is the defending Quad County Conference champion. Grandview, Herculaneum and Jefferson are the county teams in the QCC.
The Dragons host the Indians on Friday at 7 p.m. De Soto will travel to Perryville in 2027.
“I was feeling interest from Illinois schools, but we were talking three hours away minimum, and we had interest from schools up north of St. Louis, but they were Class 5 and schools we had no business playing,” Schmidt said. “We couldn’t ask for a more perfect situation when we found St. Vincent.
“Our schedule remains the same otherwise. I felt it was important that if we’re going to build a sustainable product here, and hopefully at this point, we stack some wins this year.”
This is Schmidt’s fourth season in both roles. From 2021-2023, De Soto had a record of 2-28. In 2024, the Dragons evened up at 5-5 and played North County tough in the district tournament. Last season, De Soto was 5-5 again, but got a breakthrough-type win over Mississippi Area Football Conference and their closest geographical rival from Hillsboro.
“Our overall numbers for a school our size are fine, but we’re an injury or two away from being a sub .500 football team,” Schmidt said. “If we stay healthy, I think we can be above .500. I don’t think it. I know it. People just don’t realize what a violent game football’s become.
“It’s always been that way, but we’ve developed bigger, faster, stronger athletes. The hits and collisions on the knees and the ankles, it’s a lot of beating. I think every coach manages things differently. Our kids know what’s next.”
In a county filled with talented quarterbacks, De Soto has one too. After learning behind four-year starting QB Austin Missey as a freshman, Cannon Kisner took full control of the Dragons and flashed the special abilities that Schmidt said have grown into a full-blown varsity QB his junior year. As a passer last year, Kisner completed fewer than 50 percent of his passes and threw more interceptions (six) than touchdowns (five), but it was his ability as a runner and leadership of the offense that stood out.
Kisner rushed for two or more TDs five times and gained more than 100 yards rushing five times.
“We have a special kid, who’s one of the fastest in the county,” Schmidt said. “We’ve tailored the offense to his skill set, and he’s continued to improve. I know Parker Perry’s special for the Festus Tigers, but I’m pretty partial to (Kisner). As he goes, we go.”
Senior Nathan Slamp was behind Eli Thebeau at running back for three years. Schmidt said Slamp earned an opportunity to start. Senior Trey Blair also returns to the backfield. The wing backs are senior Liam Agers, whom Schmidt said has completely changed physically in the last two years, and junior Blake Kemper.
Another year of reading defenses will surely make Kisner more of a dual threat as a QB, and he has the talent and experience at receiver and tight end to aid that transformation. Senior Levi Huck is a big, physical tight end who finished third at 175 pounds at the state wrestling championships last school year. Huck has played on the OL. Senior Peyson Casey and junior Damian Pogue return at WR; Casey averaged 29 yards for his seven receptions.
Senior Colin Barton is a four-year starter on the offensive line. Schmidt said Barton aspires to play college football. Schmidt said senior Landon Lawson is small for the OL, but Schmidt said his massive heart makes up for it. Schmidt coached Lawson’s dad when Schmidt was an assistant at Hillsboro.
“He’s just like his dad. Mean and ornery. He’s got a smile on his face until it’s time to play football. Coaching a player’s son is always special.”
Senior Mason Goodbread started on the JV OL for two years, and is a varsity starter this year. Schmidt said the key to Goodbread’s progress was simply fixing his stance. Mitchell Appleton and Landon Porter coach the program’s OL. Both are De Soto graduates.
“It takes years to develop the kind of chemistry with the staff we have now,” Schmidt said. “We’re working on the same page right now, so I feel blessed with the staff that I have, and I know the kids feel fortunate.”
The secondary is the strength of this year’s defense that’s led by Pogue, a defensive back. Schmidt said Pogue knows all of the coverages to call and is a coach in practice.
Blair (CB), Agers (DB), Barton (DL), his brother, Kaleb, a sophomore nose tackle, Huck (DE), Slamp (MLB), junior Tyler Wolfe (OLB) and junior Blake Kemper (OLB) are defensive starters.
Senior Josh Golightly has split time as the kicker and playing for the school’s soccer team for three years. Another soccer crossover is sophomore Beau Weber, who Schmidt said has untapped athletic ability on the gridiron. He just needs more experience there.
“The things he can do with the football are incredible,” Schmidt said. “He can kick, play offense and defense.”
Schmidt said since each team is only guaranteed 10 games a year, it’s important to make the most of each one. The layout of a football field with its 10-yard increments makes it easy to point out that importance.
“If you win your district and playoff game, that gives you an extra month of practice. That’s an extra month of relationship-building with the kids. When you do that year in and year out, the only thing you can do is get better. We remind our bunch we’re not there yet. I’m not happy with 5-5 two years in a row.”