JJ Birden, a wide receiver who became one of Joe Montana’s favorite targets and fueled the Kansas City Chiefs’ second Golden Era of the 1990s, will soon be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
CEO & Executive Director Rob Marsh on Friday announced the Football Luncheon presented by the Ozark Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company, set for 11 AM on November 18 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds.
The Class of 2026 features:
- JJ Birden – Kansas City Chiefs
- Mike Rader – High School Football Coach
- Allen Barbre – East Newton & Missouri Southern lineman who played a decade in the NFL
- Larry Silvey – Ava High School coach & athletic director
- Dennis Darnell – Missouri State standout & longtime coach
- Lockwood High School’s 1974 State Championship Football Team
- Bolivar High School Liberators Football & Community – Friday Night Lights Trophy
- Mighty Mites Football of Springfield
- Dave Roberts – Rolla-area sports writer
“We’re excited to celebrate great football players, coaches, teams and organizations, as well as a longtime sports writer,” Marsh said. “All have inspired so many with their success, and we can’t wait to hear their stories about how they got there. We hope the community will join us.”
Additionally, the Hall of Fame announced it will recognize the Elite 11 Awards, which recognizes former All-State players from a Missouri high school, or who were all-conference at a Missouri college or made a positive impact in the game. This year’s honorees are: The Bounous Football Family of Monett (Kyle, Brook, Kellen, Beau & Reese), Kevin Crane (Webb City High School/Pittsburg State University), Jon Franks (Neosho High School/Washburn University/Missouri Southern & longtime coach), Randy Hartzler (Harrisonville High School/University of Colorado), John Hobbs (Stockton High School), Matt Meadows (Branson High School), Jermaine Saffold (Grandview High School/Missouri State University), J.W. Sweatt (Camdenton High School/Missouri State University), Jeremy Tennison (Ozark High School/Missouri Southern State University), Rance Walls (Cabool High School/Southwest Baptist University), and Adam Whitten (Kickapoo High School/William Jewell College).
An individual ticket is $75. Sponsorship tables of eight are available, for $600, and includes recognition at the table and in the printed program. Numerous sponsorships are available, including associate sponsorships, as well as congratulatory ads and individual video sponsors. Call 417-889-3100.
JJ Birden – Kansas City Chiefs
When folks talk about the Chiefs’ second Golden Era in franchise history – the 1990s, that is – Birden was a significant part of it. Even better, he earned his way there. Drafted out of the University of Oregon in the eighth round in 1988 by the Cleveland Browns, he didn’t make an NFL roster immediately. Instead, he was cut from the Browns and even cut later by the Chiefs despite coach Marty Schottenheimer – who had previously coached the Browns brought him to Kansas City. Birden, however, made the most of his opportunity after landing a roster spot in 1990. From then until 1994, he helped the Chiefs compile a 51-29 record, reaching the playoffs every season. That included 1993, when he was one of Joe Montana’s favorite targets as the Chiefs won the AFC West and reached the AFC Championship game. Overall, Birden hauled in 183 passes for 2,819 yards and 14 touchdowns. He started 40 games his final three seasons. After Kansas City, Birden played two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before retiring. These days, he and his family make their home in the Phoenix area, with Birden a is a leadership and performance under pressure speaker.
Mike Rader – Lockwood High School
Rader has been on the high school football scene in southwest Missouri since the early 1960s. He played at Lockwood from 1963 to 1966 and then went on to Missouri Southern State University, playing running back, defensive back and kick returning from 1967 to 1970. Rader went on to a long career as a high school football coach. In 24 seasons as a head coach, his teams were 134-99-2. He was at Lockwood from 1971 to 1975, with the 1974 team winning a state championship and the 1975 team reaching the state semifinals. He also was at Rock Port (1976-1979), Miller (1980-1984) and Lamar (1990-2000). As a head coach, his teams won four conference championships, and two district championships (1993 & 1994 at Lamar). His 1977 and 1978 Rock Port teams reached the state semifinals. Rader returned to Lockwood as an assistant coach in the early 2000s and was there for years. Those teams won four conference championships, was a 2001 state runner-up in Class 1, and reached the 2002 and 2003 state quarterfinals. The 2017 team won districts and reached the state semifinals, too. Rader and his wife of 44 years are parents to teachers Ashley, Jessica, Luke and Sara, and 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren with another one due in December. Rader was inducted into the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2018.
Allen Barbre – East Newton High School/Missouri Southern/NFL’s Broncos
A former standout lineman at East Newton High School and Missouri Southern State University, Barbre played a decade in the National Football League, from 2007 to 2017. He was a fourth-round draft pick in 2007 of the Green Bay Packers, and played for the Packers (2007-2009), Seattle Seahawks & Miami Dolphins in 2010, Seattle Seahawks (2011-2013), Philadelphia Eagles (2013-2016) and Denver Broncos (2017). Overall, he played in 92 games, starting 40. The 2007 Packers won the NFC North and reached the NFC Championship game, finishing 13-3. Two years later, they were 11-5 and earned a wild card berth. It all started in East Newton, where Barbre was a two-time Class 2 All-State selection (2001, 2002). At Missouri Southern, he was a consensus First Team All-American, All-MIAA and All-Region selection in 2006. In fact, he became Missouri Southern’s ninth All-American, and first All-American since Josh Chapman in 2002 and the first to be named a First Team All-American since 1996. He also was the fifth offensive lineman at Southern to earn First Team All-American honors. Barbre started 33 of 37 games at Missouri Southern. All but one of those starts was at left tackle. He was credited with 254 knockdown blocks and registered 10 tackles, nine solos, on special teams. He was the first player at the time from Southern to be invited to the NFL Combine. He is now back in Granby and works for Midwest Land Management.
Larry Silvey – Coach & Athletic Administration
Silvey has been part of Ava High School going back to his high school days there. A 1960 graduate, he returned after finishing a degree at Missouri State University. He was the Ava football coach from 1972 to 2008, with his Bears winning 131 games, including 11 district championships and the same number of South Central Association championships. He also was the track & field coach in those years and the athletic director from 1974 to 2008, adding several sports along the way. Additionally, he’s known for his officiating, as Silvey was a basketball official from 1972 to 1985 and a track & field official from 2003 to 2025. In track, he worked more than 300 meets, including 80-plus conference, district and sectional and state meets. He is an inductee of the Missouri Football Coaches Association, and earned the Emry Dilday Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Distinguished Service Award. In 1997, Ava dedicated its football field in his name.
Dennis Darnell – Missouri State University
Darnell is now in his 58th season of coaching football. A 1965 El Dorado Springs High School graduate, he played for Missouri State as an offensive lineman from 1966 to 1968. In fact, he was a key part of the Bears’ 1966 MIAA Championship team that played in the Mineral Water Bowl, and he was named a team captain in 1968. Among his coaching stops was Missouri State, where in 2004 and 2005 he assisted Randy Ball (MSHOF 2016). The 2005 team averaged 350 yards a game and 27 points, putting the team in the top 10 for rushing offense and breaking school game and season records. Darnell also had coaching stops at Texas State, New Mexico, Northern Colorado, Drake, Utah State, Wake Forest, Wichita State, Southeast Missouri State and Blinn Community College in Texas. He also was head coach of East Central University in Ada, Okla., and was the Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year in 2001. He also led Missouri Western (1986-1990) and Republic High School (2006) and Sullivan High School (1971-1972) as a head coach. In recent years, he was at Evangel University from 2013 to 2021 as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He was the Co-Coach of the Year for the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s South Division in 2017.In 2022 and 2023, was an assistant at Logan-Rogersville High School and is now at Parkview High School as an assistant. Along the way, he was selected to be one of two Division II representatives on the NCAA Rules Committee from 2002 and 2003.
Lockwood High School 1974 State Championship Football Team
Coached by Mike Rader, the Lockwood Tigers football team of 1974 remains the school’s only state championship in the sport. That team won Class 1, beating King City 34-0 and finishing 10-2. The season began with a 32-8 win against Marionville, followed by wins against Greenwood, Pierce City and Greenfield. Back-to-back losses, to Stockton and East Newton, led to a great turnaround, as the Tigers sizzled over the next six weeks, winning by an average of nearly 40 points. That included four shutouts. Assistant coaches were Frank Kukal and Ray Hoback. The roster included seniors Nathan Wehrman, David Coose, Bruce Lilienkamp, Bob Ogden, Laurence Mammen, Clive Hurst, Craig Snodgrass, Jack Huser, Ron Burton, John Roller and Terry Hawks. Juniors were Jim Witt, Todd Carter, Randy Jones, Randy Rusch, Joe Graf, Randy Lasater, Don Sparks, Mike Heiskell, Perry Hawks, Bob Hayes, Mike Shorter and Jim Parker. Sophomores were Mike Daniel, Mike Frye, Tome Heiskell, Jack Coose, Greg Parker, John Thieman, Mike Coose and Steve Lasater. Freshmen Neal Sands, Steve Shaw, Ed Easson, J.D. Kerr, Mel Klushman, Kelly Lemons, Doug Maize, Randall Spangler and Tony Whaley. Student managers were Jim Fox, Russell Wojtkiewicz and Mike Freeman.
Friday Night Lights Trophy – Bolivar High School Liberators & Community
The Friday Night Lights Trophy is bestowed on a high school football program and its community both for on-field success as well as game-day atmosphere. Players, coaches, student managers will receive a personalized trophy, as well those who have enhanced the program, such as administrators, cheer squads, band members and booster club members. The program counts only four head coaches and more than 350 wins dating back to 1966. They’ve also won at least 26 conference championships. Doug Potts (MSHOF 2007) coached from then until 2000, wit is teams earning 213 wins. The Liberators were state runner-up in 1992, reached the semifinals in 1993 and won four district titles, played in seven sectionals, three quarterfinals and two state semifinal games. Other coaches since have been Jamie LaSalle, Lance Roweton, Glen Johnson and now Robert Clardy. Under Roweton, Bolivar was 116-32 in 13 seasons. The Liberators won 13 Central Ozark Conference championships, had a 65-game win streak in the conference and captured five district titles (2004, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2013) and four state quarterfinal berths (2004, 2008, 2009, 2013). The 2019 team reached the district finals. Additionally, the community support has been impressive, right down to a homecoming parade that travels through the town square on the Friday afternoon of homecoming week.
Mighty Mites of Springfield
Founded by William R. “Bill” Thomas, the Mighty Mites youth football program dates back to the late 1950s and now counts nearly 550 players annually. A former football player at the University of Arkansas who had been a football coach in Springfield, Thomas developed the idea after seeing youths playing the sport and needing guidance. In 1960, it formed as the Springfield Parents and Boosters of the Mighty Mites Football League. Dr. Arch Lowe, Sr., was elected president of the new league, and Thomas was named as vice president. Jack Hamlin, a local insurance executive, was elected secretary and treasurer, and a group of interested business men were appointed to promote and support the new Mighty Mites Football program. With the help, too, of Doc Blasi, the board of directors initiated a scholarship program financed primarily from special contributions made to the program by appreciative parents and successful businessmen who believe in the program. In 1969, it received official recognition by the IRS as a charitable and educational institution. During next 44 years, the program expanded to Fordland, Fair Grove, Rogersville, Buffalo, Strafford, Ava, Willard, Nixa, Spokane and Sparta. Along the way, hundreds of coaches mentored youth football players, teaching them sportsmanship, character and the fundamentals of the game. These days, board members are Chad Courtney, Vance Jenkins, Rick Jester, Bill Johnson, William Love, Lennie Peterie and David Taylor. And it’s been an impressive organization, growing to roughly 34 teams annually, with 16 players a team. Mighty Mites draws its funding primarily through registration, equipment rental fees and an annual chocolate bar fundraiser. It has enjoyed several great partnerships throughout its history, most notably with the Springfield Park Board, which allowed for games at played at Meador Park in Springfield.
Dave Roberts – Sports Writer
A 1979 Rolla High School graduate, Roberts has enjoyed a 46-year sports writing career that began during his senior year, when as he worked part-time for the Rolla Daily News in the summer of 1978. He has covered area sports ever since. In 1980, at age 19, he became the youngest sports editor of a Missouri daily newspaper. And, except for a five-year absence, Roberts was the Daily News sports editor from 1980 to 2016. He also was sports editor for the Waynesville newspaper for three years, and provided weekly stories for the St. James Leader-Journal and later the St. James Press. From 2017 until late 2025, he was the sports editor of the Phelps County Focus and the Salem News. Roberts is still at it, working for Warden Publishing, covering St. James High School and Vienna High School athletics, and contributing stories on high school athletics for the Dixon Pilot. He was received the 2017 Distinguished Service Award by the Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association, has been inducted into the Rolla High School Hall of Fame and has earned more than 50 writing, design and photography awards from the from the United Press International (UPI), the Missouri Associated Press (AP) and the Missouri Press Foundation’s Better Newspaper Contest.
Elite 11
Bounous Football Family of Monett
In addition to winning three state championships, Monett High School has produced a number of All-State talents in football over the decades. Among them is the Bounous Football Family. Pronounced like bonus, the five members are Kyle, Brook, Kellen, Beau and Reese. Kyle was All-State in 1975 and 1977, when the Cubs won their second state title. Brook was a freshman on that team, and he later earned All-State in 1980. Kyle was a walk-on for Frank Broyles’ Arkansas Razorbacks. Years later, their boys earned All-State – Kellen in 2008, Beau in 2011 and Reese in 2012. Kellen was a three-time state wrestling champion who later wrestled at Mizzou. Beau and Reese both signed with Missouri Southern for football. Beau was a three-year letterman there.
Kevin Crane – Webb City High School/Pittsburg State
Crane graduated in 1990 from Webb City High School, having been a two-time All-State linebacker who helped the Cardinals win their first state football championship in 1989 under then-coach Jerry Kill. He earned First Team All-State that season, but also was a bruising running back. In fact, he scored the two touchdowns in the 16-0 victory against St. Louis Sumner and helped the Cardinals secure the title, with Webb City finishing 14-0. He also was all-conference and all-district his final two seasons, ran track two seasons and played basketball three years. Crane wasn’t done. Far from it. He went on to play at Pittsburg State, earning four varsity letters in a program that emerged as a NCAA Division II powerhouse. Crane was on the 1991 team that won it all and then returned to the national championship game a year later. He played inside linebacker and was on every special team. He later coached youth sports in Webb City, where he served on the school board for 14 years. He now works for Schluter Systems and is married to Jennifer. They are parents to Kyler (Kelsey), Koleson (Shelby) and Katlyn Crouch (Cade) and grandparents to Klaire, Klayton, Violet, Kovelyn and Campbell.
Jon Franks – Neosho High School/Washburn University/Missouri Southern State University
Franks was an All-Southwest Conference offensive lineman at Neosho High School. He graduated in 1989 before going on to Washburn University for two seasons before he transferred to Missouri Southern, where he earned varsity letters in 1992 and 1993 under coach John Lance and offensive line coach Dan Schible. As a senior, he was First Team All-MIAA as the Lions won the MIAA and reached the NCAA Division II playoffs. He then joined the staff as a graduate assistant for two seasons. Over the next nine seasons, from 1996 to 2004, he was in Stockton – five years as an assistant coach and then four seasons head coach 2001-2004. Stockton won two undefeated Mid-Lakes Conference championships in 2001 and 2002. He then spent 11 seasons (2005 to 2015) as the defensive coordinator at Lebanon High School. Franks later was the head coach at Rolla High School from 2016 to 2022, leading the Bulldogs to 38 wins in seven seasons after having won only 10 games in the five seasons before his arrival. They won a district title in 2017. He has since been an assistant at St. James High School, as the 2026 season marks his 30th in public education. He and his wife, Christy, are parents to Madalyn, Colton and Cody.
Randy Hartzler – Harrisonville High School/University of Colorado
Hartzler was a two-time All-State selection, earning Class 3 Second Team honors in 1983 as a tackle and then Class 4 First Team honors in 1984 as a 6-foot-6, 235-pound offensive lineman. Both teams made deep postseason runs. As a junior, he helped plow the way as Harrisonville finished as a state runner-up, beating St. Pius X-Kansas City 14-0, Oak Grove 17-14 and Carl Junction 14-0 to get there. A year later, Harrisonville reached the state semifinals, edged 21-16 by Parkwood. The Wildcats grinded out a 7-3 win in the postseason opener and then beat Lafayette of St. Joseph 34-18 in the quarterfinals. His efforts helped Harrisonville’s Football Program be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. Hartzler also was a three-time state wrestling qualifier who became Harrisonville’s first state champion, winning the heavyweight bracket in Class 3. He signed with the University of Colorado after being recruited by Gary Barnett (MSHOF 2018), playing for the Buffaloes for four seasons. He held the team beef rib eating record at the training table and won several team awards. These days, he works for MTC Contracting in Kansas City, where he and his wife, Stephanie, are parents to Shane, Jennifer, Morgan and Jessica, and four grandchildren.
John Hobbs – Stockton High School
Hobbs was a two-time All-State selection in Class 2 for Stockton back in 1983 and 1984. Coached by Steve Hancock (MSHOF 2009), those teams reached the state quarterfinals, with the 1984 falling only 16-13 to eventual state champion Knob Noster. Hobbs earned All-State as a kicker his junior season, and was All-State as a defensive back as a senior. He also earned All-District his final three seasons, and landed on both the News-Leader’s All-Ozarks team as well as the Joplin Globe’s All-Area team. A three-sport athlete, Hobbs attended Missouri State for a year and then became an air traffic controller. He worked in Monterrey, Calif., and Wichita, Kan., before spending the past 15 years with the Springfield-Branson National Airport. He and his wife, Shiela, are parents to Kayla and Ashley.
Matt Meadows – Branson High School
Meadows helped plow the way on the offensive line for the Branson Pirates in the mid-1980s. Playing for coach Steve Hancock (MSHOF 2009), he helped the 1987 team reach the Class 3 state championship game. Along the way, he was a three-year varsity letterman, earning All-State honors as a senior. He also earned All-Central Ozark Conference honors his final two seasons – twice earning honorable mention as a linebacker and honorable mention and First Team All-COC as an offensive guard. The Pirates shared the 1987 COC title and beat Ozark 14-13 for the district title, and then beat Mount Vernon 22-8 and Pembroke Hill 30-17 to advance to the finals. He later attended Missouri State and then College of the Ozarks. Meadows has been a real estate broker with MRG Realty & Development Company for 34 years. He also has been a volunteer coach of Pee Wee Pirate Football and has served on the Branson Football chain game for 17 years.
Jermaine Saffold – Grandview High School/Missouri State/Cleveland Browns
Saffold was a two-sport athlete Grandview, earning all-conference in football. In fact, he helped the Bulldogs to a 7-4 record and state playoff appearance his junior season, when he was a favorite target for quarterback Josh Freeman (MSHOF 2021). Additionally, he finished 10th in the 100-meter dash at the Class 4 state meet and was fourth in the KU Relays. At Missouri State, Saffold is Missouri State’s career leader in receiving yards (2,221) after racking up 139 receptions and 17 touchdowns with the Bears from 2009 to 2011. He also shares the squad record for TD receptions in a season with eight in 2011 and was a two-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, including First Team distinction his senior season. He was also the Valley Offensive Player of the Week his junior season after posting nine receptions for 114 yards in a win over Youngstown State. His 139 receptions ranks No. 4 all-time at Missouri State, while his 17 touchdowns are tied for No. 3. Likewise, his 913 receiving yards in 2011 is No. 3 on the Bears’ season chart, and his 31 consecutive games with a pass reception ranks No. 3. He spent the 2012 season with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL and then had a short stint with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He then spent eight years as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Lee’s Summit High School, helping the 2025 team win the Class 6 state championship. These days, he’s back on campus, as an assistant coach for the Bears.
J.W. Sweatt – Camdenton High School/Missouri State University
Sweatt was part of the Camdenton High School Football Program that was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a Second Team All-State selection in Class 4 in 1996, as a 6-foot, 214-pound running back. That season, Camdenton advanced all the way to the state championship game. Along the way, the Lakers beat Washington 40-0, Helias Catholic 20-19 and North County 21-3. Overall, he finished with 3,069 yards rushing in his career. That’s the third-most in the storied history of a program that was long coached by Bob Shore. Before college, Sweatt played in the East-West All-Star Game and earned MVP. He went on to earn a varsity letter at Missouri State in 1997. A pest technician, Sweatt has been married to Sarah for 20 years, and they are parents to Jacob, Brooklyn, Jackson and Joshua.
Jeremy Tennison – Ozark High School/Missouri Southern State University
Tennison emerged on the southwest Missouri sports scene in the mid-1990s, playing on the offensive line for the Ozark Tigers. Coached by Phil Montgomery and assistants Kevin Patterson and Chris Allison, the 1997 team advanced to the Class 4 state quarterfinals after beating Neosho 21-18 for the district championship. He went on to play at Missouri Southern in Joplin for four seasons, earning varsity letters each season from 1998 to 2001. Tennison has given back to the game as a football official at all levels, including MSHSAA. He has since been in the banking industry and is the CEO of HomePride Bank in Mansfield, following a successful tenure as Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate at Guaranty Bank in Springfield. He and his wife, Renae, are parents to two Drury University athletes – son, Hunter, and daughter, Avery.
Rance Walls – Cabool High School/Southwest Baptist University
Walls is being recognized posthumously, four years after he passed away. He played at Cabool from 1994 to 1997, and his 427 career tackles rank 17th in state high school history, according to MSHSAA’s record book. He had started as a freshman and, as a senior, was voted the South Central Association’s Back of the Year. That year marked his third consecutive All-SCA selection. He graduated in 1998 and went on to play at Southwest Baptist University. In Bolivar, he earned a starting inside linebacker position for the second game of the season and never gave it up. In the last game of his freshman year, Walls was named the MIAA Player of the Week when he intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown. He finished his degree at Missouri State and later became an assistant coach for Cabool. In fact, he helped develop and ran the defense that led the Bulldogs to the 2022 district championship and ended an eight-year drought. Walls passed away three days later at age 43, but his impact as a player, coach, dad and husband will never be forgotten. He will be represented by his wife, Elizabeth Walls-Copeland, and son Logan and daughter Emma.
Adam Whitten – Kickapoo High School/William Jewell College
Whitten played for Kickapoo coach Kurt Thompson (MSHOF 2018) in the late 1990s and in the 2000 football season. He earned Class 5 All-State as a senior offensive lineman in 2000, when the Chiefs advanced all the way to the state semifinals. Their season ended in a 26-14 setback to Rockhurst, the eventual state champion. Whitten signed with William Jewell, where he was a three-year letterman. These days, he and his wife, Sarah, make their home in Springfield and are parents to Luke and Noah – with Sarah and Luke also Kickapoo graduates and Noah a senior on the football team there. Whitten has worked in healthcare the past 22 years and now is in his 13th year with Mercy as a System Vice President responsible for pharmacy and supply chain services across four states.
