Maryville 2019 athlete Eli Dowis
is coming off a strong junior season for the Spoofhounds and has helped lead the squad to next week’s district championship game against Chillcothe.
At 6’3, 175-pounds, Dowis is a terrific athlete who lines up all over the field on offense and defense and is a threat to go the distance as a returner on special teams.
“I like to use my athleticism to my advantage. whether that means speed, hurdling or even juking,” he said.
Maryville is 9-2 this season and Dowis has helped the team put together a big season running the ball. He has had two games in which he has carried the ball more than 25 times, including a season-high 231 yards on 32 attempts.
He says he is continuing to work on improving his strength and running through tackles.
Dowis began playing football in the third grade and started by playing for the Midland Empire Youth Football league.
He says Maryville head coach Matt Webb has had the biggest influence on his football career to date.
“He’s been there and passed on all the knowledge he’s gained to me,” Dowis said. “And also my mom for making all the opportunities possible whether that mean taking me to practice or simply just paying for me to play.”
A fan of NFL running back Leveon Bell, Dowis says he has received a few letters in the mail from college programs but does not yet hold an offer or have any visits planned yet.
Dowis says he has enjoyed competing against St. Joe Lafayette senior Diego Bernard, who is also a basketball standout who has committed to play at Northwest Missouri State.
“He is a great quarterback and DB and he is one of the hardest hitters in the conference,” Dowis said. “He’s also a great athlete on the basketball court in the winter.”
