Here are some of the best athletes to watch this Boone County football season

It takes skill to play football. That's for certain. Some athletes in Boone County are blessed with more athletic abilities than the skills football requires.

Plenty of players county-wide, from the gridiron to the diamond, track or hardwood, will play multiple sports. It's a good sign of which athletes are the best on the field.

Here are some of the best athletes fans will see playing on Friday nights in Boone County:

Jayden Donnelly, Battle

Daqual Wright is the leader of the Spartans' receiver group, but don't sleep on a player like Donnelly. This year, the senior should complement Wright and the Battle offense.

Donnelly possesses track speed and ran the 100-meter dash in 11.30 seconds during the 2023 track and field season. Putting him together with Wright and the rugged Battle running game should provide plenty of offense for the Spartans to work with around a first-year head coach.

Colton Nichols, Hallsville

Nichols already proved his mettle as a football player, rushing for over 1,000 yards as a major catalyst in Hallsville's offense. This year, Nichols will have a bigger role in Hallsville's offense as an all-purpose player.

Also a starter on Hallsville's baseball team, Nichols was an all-conference honorable mention on the diamond. He'll use that athleticism wherever Hallsville puts him this season. That could be at quarterback, running back, receiver and even on defense.

Cullen Snow, Rock Bridge

As if a second-team All-State player needs to flex any more abilities, Snow is one of the players to watch for specifically. After playing a role on Rock Bridge's state-ranked baseball team, Snow is in line for a productive seniors season in the Bruins' defensive backfield.

As a ballhawk, Snow helped Rock Bridge blank Hickman twice, including a three-interception game in the district playoffs. With plenty of returning players on defense, look for Snow's ball-hawking ability to lead to more turnovers.

Brady Dapkus, Southern Boone

Southern Boone has plenty of athletes to choose from. Austin Evans is one, Chase Morris is another. Dapkus might be one of the most ambitious.

As a three-sport athlete, Dapkus ran track, played basketball and earned playing time with the Eagles' football team. He was a freshman in 2022, scoring five touchdowns in eight games. As a sophomore, he's primed for a breakout season as a runner and receiver who can complement Morris and Kellen Ash.

Hayven Samuels, Harrisburg

Samuels is a Harrisburg football veteran, having played meaningful snaps since his sophomore season in 2021. He's also a track and field athlete and a basketball player. His athletic ability translates well across each of the sports seasons.

During the track seasons, Samuels qualified to run the 800-, 1600- and 3200-meter races at the Class 2 2023 state championships. Combined with his basketball skills, this translates to Samuels having plenty of endurance. This will pay off with Samuels playing as a two-way player, carrying the football and as a defender in the secondary.

Brock Camp, Hickman

Camp is one of Boone County's best basketball players. He's a force down low as a rebounder and in the offensive post. He translates that to football as Hickman's star tight end.

Taking plenty of visits this summer to Missouri and Wisconsin, to name just a couple, Camp is set for a rise as a junior on the football field. With plenty of returning players, Camp fits into Hickman's group of experienced players aiming to find success. His athleticism will help the Kewpies in the running and passing game on offense.

Jesse Caballero, Centralia

The running back spot was secure for Centralia in the last two years with Kyden Wilkerson, who ran a rugged and tough style of play. This year will be different for the Panthers as Caballero moves from out wide to the backfield.

Caballero is quicker, having a background as a track and field sprinter. He tied for 12th in the Centralia record books in the 2023 track and field season with a 23.84 200-meter dash time. That makes for a speedier rushing attack for the Panthers this fall.

Cam Lee, Father Tolton

Lee's older brother, James, was a basketball stud and a baseball outfielder at Tolton last year. While Cam doesn't take to the hardwood, he's become one of the better outfielders in Boone County. That reflects in his football talents.

Lee is expected to be a playmaker for Tolton football this year. He's not only a deep threat, but he's a consistent playmaker every time he touches the ball. He scored eight touchdowns in 2022, and that athletic ability he's built as a baseball player led him to his commitment to play baseball at Missouri Western State University.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Here are some of the best athletes to watch this football season in Boone County