"It certainly was a blessing," Duke said. "Not just winning it, but being able for the team to stay together for several weeks longer than most other teams. It was such a gift. "It sounds like a coach's cliché, but they're like family, and I love being with these guys, and I love practice. Winning the state title was incredible. It's a feat that every coach wants to have. "But what I told the kids leading up to that game is winning a state
you up is what got you here: the hard work, the relationships, the
The underclassmen didn't want the season to end. They were
2025 journey came to an end.
"When we got done with the season," Duke said, "I told them I was Bracht was ready to continue/begin weight lifting and condition- ing for the next season.
The incredible 13-1 championship season produced some incred- ible accolades. Tipton had 13 players named All-Conference, 16 All-District and a whopping 11 players to the All-State team. The Cardinals swept the top two honors in Class 1 — running back Tyler end Sam Duke was honored as Defensive Player of the Year. Not to be forgotten, Dr. Duke was named Class 1 Coach of the Year. Four of those all-staters return — seniors Ty Bixler, Reid Broyles,
players to replace, but shed no tears for this program that's been around for more than 60 years. They have seven starters returning Two players to keep an especially close eye on are Bixler, a tight end/outside linebacker, and Bracht, a junior WR/DB. "Ty Bixler has the athletic ability to score anytime he touches the football. He is a special athlete," Duke said. "He's got the measur- ables of height (6-3) and weight (220) and he's extremely strong (he holds the school hang clean record at 335 pounds, and Duke expects that record to be 365 by the time the season starts) and and ran a 4.4 40 this summer)." For those of us who remember the force of nature Justin Smith
Dr. William Duke
1241 W Stadium Blvd, Jefferson City, MO (573) 556-7724
Show-Me Sports /// 15
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