After a brief meeting with their coaches following a 34-6 victory over Thayer in the Missouri Class 1 State Semifinals last Saturday, the East Buchanan Bulldogs were met on the field by friends, family, former players and members of the Gower community in a robust celebration.
The Bulldogs' victory, perhaps their most impressive of the season, was a perfect storm – talented student-athletes reaping the benefits of three dynamic head coaches who have influenced the program at various points in the past 20 years.
Guiding the Bulldogs on their magical run to Columbia and the state championship game this Saturday is current East Buchanan head coach Daniel Ritter. In just his second year at the helm, Ritter led East Buchanan to their first district championship and state semifinal appearance since 2017.
He stepped in with his own philosophies and plans for the future of the program while also buying into what had been built before him. With Ritter came a defensive-minded attitude to a program historically known for prolific offenses.
Current East Buchanan head coach Daniel Ritter stands with his captains #11 Conner Musser, #6 Cru Conaway, #3 Luke Webb and #59 Michael Collard
Paying off in spades, Ritter’s relentless defense just put on dominant back-to-back performances, holding their last two opponents (Hamilton and Thayer) to 18 total points. Vital players at every level, like Ethan Bailey, Adam Stephen Engnes, Cru Conaway and Trevor Klein, have been making crucial plays at key moments.
“Defensively, these young men have embraced our coaching philosophies and the preparation process it takes to be successful,” Ritter said.
“The players spend time knowing where to line up, how to communicate, always getting to the point of attack and how to tackle well. They have watched film all year and have put the time in. I hope we can do it one more time.”
The old adage is “defense wins championships,” and if East Buchanan plays Marceline like they did against Thayer, the Bulldogs could be coming home with some championship hardware.
The influence of Ritter’s predecessor, the late great Kevin Bryan, can still be felt. The seniors - Michael Collard, Cru Conaway, Caleb McCartney, Conner Musser, Trevor Rush and Luke Webb - began their high school careers under the tutelage of Coach Bryan and his staff.
Kevin Bryan has left a lasting legacy on the East Buchanan program.
The last time East Buchanan played in a semifinal, these seniors were in eighth grade, witnessing what it takes to play championship level football.
Two former players of Coach Bryan, Colby Rapp and Zac Johnson, are on Coach Ritter's staff and bring an offensive mindset instilled in them while playing for Coach Bryan. Adam Lewis is the lone holdover from Bryan’s staff to remain at East Buchanan after Bryan’s retirement in 2020. Lewis helped immensely when it came to Ritter’s transition as the new head coach.
The legacy Coach Bryan left at East Buchanan was something Coach Ritter fully embraced on day one.
“Coach Bryan, as well as other coaches from the recent past, have laid the groundwork for a successful program,” Ritter said.
“I am aware that we are “piggybacking” off of the great program and great success of these coaches and players over the past few years. All the credit should go to them.”
Knowing how much tradition means to the community and the East Buchanan program, Ritter solidified his staff by bringing in legendary former head coach Ron Musser.
Musser, who was a mentor to Coach Bryan and led East Buchanan to their first state championship appearance in 2004, has his fingerprints all over the East Buchanan offense this season.
Ron Musser shows his players his second place ring from 2004 before proclaiming he wants a gold ring this season.
You can see his influence in the clever ways East Buchanan spreads the ball around to playmakers like Trevor Klein, Cru Conaway, Carson White, Luke Webb and Engnes. Musser has also been a huge factor in the maturation of Conner Musser at the quarterback position.
Having such an experienced leader by his side is something Coach Ritter values.
“Coach Musser is a legend. He’s the spirit of the team. The mixing of old school and new school coaching, if you will, has led to our success as a football program,” Ritter said.
“We are not here without the great Ron Musser. Our goal this week is giving the man another opportunity at the state championship. He got so close in 2004 with a great bunch of players and coaches, and it’s time to give the man a chance at redemption 17 years in the making.”
On the cusp of the school’s first-ever football state title, Coach Ritter and his Bulldogs enter this Saturday’s game with Marceline confidently, as they look to reach the ultimate culmination of their story for the tradition-rich East Buchanan program.
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