By Derrick ForsytheRecord Staff WriterThere seems to be a consensus that the success of the Wright City football team this year was built on accountability — an obligation to perform well for the coaches and teammates.Even the Wildcats’ first-year coach Jeff Sargent says he felt indebted to the senior class after it voiced its support of him taking over the program following a 2-8 finish in 2014.“That always made me feel like I owed them,” said Sargent, who just finished leading Wright City to an 8-4 record and its first appearance in a district championship game since 2010. “I don’t feel like I’ve paid them back yet, and I hope that I can somehow.”The camaraderie of a senior class that had endured 22 losses through its first three years was uniquely unshakable and its respect toward its coach was reciprocated.“I think the reason we were so successful is because we played like a family and started to realize that Sargent worked so hard on the playbook and we didn’t want to let him down,” said senior receiver Troy Muse.Sargent, who returned to Wright City after a season as an assistant at Warrenton, had also coached many of his players on the baseball field.“I’ve never been closer to another group of kids that I’ve ever coached in my life,” said Sargent. “We’ve built a special relationship with them.”Many of the seniors admitted they weren’t sure what this team was capable of accomplishing before preseason workouts began. History wasn’t on their side, but their new head coach was all-in and ready to convince them change was within reach.“We went to the Missouri State camp and started realizing how good we actually are and had a lot of trust in Sargent, because everything that we did was working,” said Muse.The Wildcats began the season 3-1 and a multitude of offensive threats quickly emerged, as part of an exciting spread offense that also featured a dynamic running back in DeRenzo Blanks. The bleachers were gradually getting more full, and football became fun again for Wright City and its followers.“I think our senior class changed the entire atmosphere of football in Wright City,” said senior linebacker Austin Buchheit. “In the past we were expected to lose, but we were able to have a successful season and gain the support of the community this time.”Last Friday the Wildcats found themselves playing against a program that has long-established the type of tradition the senior class hopes one day Wright City football will emulate.“I feel like the program itself has blossomed from this past year, making a remarkable turnaround,” said senior quarterback Andrew Pfuhl. “Being beaten by a fairly prestigious coaching staff and team like Centralia is nothing to hang our heads about.”The Numbers GameAs players began getting comfortable with new leadership roles early in the season, it was evident the Wildcats were on track to put up significant numbers in several areas.Wright City had struggled to generate much of a passing game among a run-heavy offense over the past five years, but Pfuhl overcame growing pains at an unfamiliar position to finish 152 of 278 for 2,617 yards and 24 touchdowns.Muse didn’t play football his sophomore season and emerged last fall as a formidable threat, but the numbers he put up as a senior landed him among the best in the state. The Wildcats’ top receiver tallied 1,201 yards on 61 catches through just 10 games.“I thought I could have a good year, but I never expected it to be this good,” said Muse. “I just didn’t really think I would have 1,200 yards with having missed two games.”As part of a balanced and unpredictable attack, DeRenzo Blanks kept opposing defenses honest by rushing for 1,331 yards and 15 touchdowns on 215 carries.And then there was Buchheit, who managed to find his way to the ball on nearly every play, racking up a team-best 216 tackles and five sacks.“I had no idea I was going to have that big of a year,” said Buchheit. “I took every game one at a time, listening to the coaches and kept telling myself not to let any of my teammates down. That just translated into big numbers on the field.”In the end, those individual efforts, or what the Wildcats call “just doing their 1/11th,” resulted in a memorable season not soon to be forgotten by those responsible.“I think our senior class really started something for Wright City,” said senior Kyle Tuepker. “I believe we turned our football program in the right direction and built a sturdy foundation for the future.”

Kyle Tuepker of Wright City brings down a Centralia ball carrier Friday night. Centralia advanced with a 43-12 victory.

Wright City's Andrew Pfuhl looks to evade a tackle during Friday's playoff game against Centralia. Wright City lost, 43-12.

Wright City's DeRenzo Blanks stiff-arms a Centralia defender during Friday's playoff game. Centralia won, 43-12.