Staff photo by Mike Buhler The Kennett Indians golf team will be led by a trio of seniors as it takes aim at a district title this spring. Pictured are seniors (from left) Johnathan Rogers, Nicholas Jain and Brad Bailey. [Click to enlarge]

Ken Garland is really impressed with his Kennett Indians golf team this spring.

"They're great kids, just an extremely nice group of young men and eager to learn the rules," the Kennett coach said. "This is one of the best groups we've ever had in terms of quality individuals."

They're not a bad group of golfers, either.

"There's a lot of potential," said Garland. "We see a lot of potential with our younger players. ... With a lot of work we are very optimistic. They just need to give it time."

Leading the way is senior standout Johnathan Rogers, who has qualified for the state golf tournament the previous two years and will be looked to lead a young but talented Tribe this spring.

"We're under the senior leadership of Johnathan Rogers, who has went to state the last two years," Garland said. "We also have two freshmen -- Ryan Richardson and Justin Lynn -- who have played a lot of junior tournaments, so they come in with some experience."

Kennett also returns another pair of lettermen in sophomores Sean Callawaert and Ben Collins, while Randy Crawford and newcomer Cory Janson have looked strong this spring too.

"I think the way we look in practice, we not only have a lot of talent this season, but we have tons of potential for upcoming seasons," said Rogers. "We're really young and most of our varsity players have tournament experience which works to our team's advantage. I think as the year progresses, this team can only get better."

Rogers, Richardson, Lynn and Callawaert look the strongest for the top four varsity slots, while Crawford, Janson and Collins are battling for the remaining two.

Garland also added that the quintet of Wesley Wood, Jarrod Broadway, Nicholas Jain, Andy Sherrod and Brad Bailey have shown a lot of improvement, adding to his optimism for the upcoming season.

"I think with some work we have an excellent shot of winning districts this spring," Garland said. "If not, we hope to have at least two or three qualify for state."

The Indians are scheduled to tee off Monday at perennial power Poplar Bluff before hosting Dexter and Doniphan in a triangular meet Tuesday and Caruthersville on Thursday.

Notes: Kennett has just three seniors on its roster -- Rogers, Jain and Bailey -- and seven underclassmen, three freshmen and four sophomores. ... Rogers tied for 86th place at the Class 3 state golf tournament last spring as a junior and tied for 117th at the Class 2 tourney as a sophomore.