JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (WGEM) – Missouri’s manufacturing sector is going strong, but it faces a big obstacle with a labor shortage.

Gray Manufacturing out of St. Joseph employs over 300,000 Missourians making hydraulic products used in car maintenance. President Stet Schanze says Gray is optimistic about the future of manufacturing in Missouri, and he should be.

A report released Thursday from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry shows Missouri’s manufacturing industry is improving, but has room for growth. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry released 7 recommendations on how to grow the manufacturing industry in Missouri. The number one recommendation is growing the workforce.

Schanze hopes to target some typically overlooked populations when it comes to hiring, including women. But in order to do that, the Missouri Chamber said the state must first address its child care shortage.

“Manufacturing historically has a lower number of females working for it,” Shanze said. “Childcare is certainly one of the issues where young moms can’t sometimes work because they have to take care of their children.”

A recent study from United WE shows there are three children in need for every one open child care spot. The study said 85% of Missouri does not have enough child care for working parents, which is preventing economic growth.

One tangible solution is cutting the red tape needed to start and run a childcare center, allowing them to bring in more clients. Another is creating child care tax credits so low income parents can afford to drop off children while they head to work.

“When parents don’t have access to high quality, affordable and reliable child care, they’re not going to go to work,” said Kara Corches, president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber.

Another possible growth area for the manufacturing industry is in retired Missourians. One suggestion is to bring on people who aren’t ready to completely stop working as part-time employees.

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Missouri quarterback Sam Horn is about 11 months out from Tommy John surgery to fix the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm that was injured during baseball practice before the start of the 2024 baseball season.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said Horn is progressing as planned and the recovery process has gone exactly to plan.

“He had a follow up after the first week in December, which was the first opportunity that he had to begin throwing a football,” Drinkwitz said. “He went to a well-renowned surgeon who does … Tommy John surgery. We followed that breakdown, or that rehab to a T between Zach Parker, our trainer, the baseball trainer. We were adamant, we did it right.”

Drinkwitz said Horn was present throughout the football season going to meeting and practices, and he was seen numerous times before late-season football games throwing passes, but he was not able to fully participate in practice at any point this year.

“He’s now in the rehab phase where he can throw a little bit, but he’s not medically clear to fully participate in practice,” Drinkwitz said. “… He has been able to ramp up his throwing and we like everything we’ve seen so far.”

The biggest question left then was whether Horn planned to continue playing for Missouri’s baseball team in the spring, which Drinkwitz said he does

“He’s planning on doing both, which is why he signed here,” Drinkwitz said. “So Coach (Kerrick) Jackson and I have a great relationship and we’ve worked out a plan .. we’ve got a plan in place that allows him to be fully involved in baseball when it’s time for baseball, but also in spring ball.”

So expect the first sighting of Horn competing for Mizzou to come this spring when he takes the mound for the baseball team, then competes for the starting quarterback spot through spring football and into summer practices.

Blink and you might’ve missed it, but the action-packed high school football season in Missouri has already come to a close. Previously, High School on SI asked you to vote on the top high school quarterback entering the 2024 season. Now, we’re asking you to vote on the top QB following the year that was.

We’ve compiled 25 of the top performers the state had to offer from the 2024 season. Now we are asking our High School on SI readers to vote which are the best of the best.

Check out our recaps on each player’s 2024 season and vote in the poll below. Voting closes Dec. 31, at 11:59:59 P.M.

Blane Branscum, sr., Rockwood Summit

The ball is the program, and perhaps no one knows that better than Branscum. He completed 61 percent of his passes this season for 2,297 yards, 24 touchdowns and only two interceptions. He led his Falcons to a 9-3 mark before being bounced in the district semifinals by another quarterback on this list.

Brayden Layman, sr., Lee’s Summit

In Layman’s terms, the Tigers quarterback had a fantastic season, passing for 2,577 yards and 27 touchdowns while leading his squad to an 8-3 record. He completed 63 percent of his passes.

Brett Ottensmeyer, jr., Parkway West

The Longhorns went an even 5-5 this season, but Ottensmeyer (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) amassed a whopping 2,484 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air – easily placing him amongst the state’s best performers.

Carson Boyd, sr., Cardinal Ritter [committed to Illinois]

The consensus top quarterback recruit in the state, Boyd (6-0, 180) turned in eye-popping numbers – completing 80 percent of his passes this season for 3,243 yards and 27 touchdowns. A dual threat, Boyd got it done with his legs, too, racking up 1,162 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Cash Newberry, jr., Glendale

It was a tough season for the Falcons, who finished 3-8 despite dazzling play from their junior quarterback. Newberry netted 2.579 yards passing and 23 touchdowns on just 268 attempts, establishing himself as one of the top players to watch for the 2025 campaign.

Clayton O’Bryan, jr., Fort Zumwalt West

The Jaguars’ signal caller should have plenty of buzz coming off a strong junior campaign. He led his squad to a 7-6 mark behind 2,736 yards passing and 21 touchdowns – including a staggering 332 yards and six touchdowns against Francis Howell North Oct. 4.

Collin Sinclair, jr., Orchard Farm

Sinclair (6-1, 190) stormed onto the scene this season with 2,264 yards passing, 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions to go along with 985 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

Dakarri Hollis, sr., Lutheran North

Sharing time with sophomore standout Jonathan Moore, the dual-threat veteran still amassed 1,352 yards and 18 touchdowns passing with 895 yards on 110 carries (8.1 average) with 12 rushing touchdowns. A 2-star recruit by 247 Sports, he holds a Division I offer from Miami (OH).

Dillon Duff, sr., De Smet Jesuit [committed to Kansas State]

The 2024 Class 6 state champion and Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 6 Offensive Player of the Year selection, Duff (6-2, 200) guided the 13-2 Spartans with 2,735 yards and 26 touchdowns passing. He also carried the ball 80 times for 666 yards and nine touchdowns.

Dylan Washick, soph., Monett

One of five sophomores on the list, Washick had a season to remember for the Cubs in coach Ben Mauk’s new offense. Standing in at 6-2, 165, Washick amassed 3,269 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Gavin Johnston, sr., Mount Vernon

One of the top quarterbacks in Southwest Missouri, Johnson led the Mountaineers to a 9-4 mark in 2024 behind 2,850 yards passing and 28 touchdowns.

Hoyt Gregory, sr., North Point [committed to Lindenwood]

A hard commit to nearby Lindenwood University, Gregory (6-4, 215) helped the Grizzlies to seven wins while passing for 2,677 yards, 31 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also rushed for 500 yards and three touchdowns.

Hudson Bailey, jr., St. Pius X (KC)

The imposing 6-3, 185 signal caller amassed 2,015 yards and a heaping 33 touchdowns through the air this season. His play helped lead the Warriors (10-2) to a perfect 6-0 mark in the Midland Empire District and an appearance in the third round of the Missouri Class 5 playoffs.

Jack Behl, sr., Lafayette (Wildwood)

While guiding the Lancers to a 12-2 mark and an appearance in the Class 5 final four, Behl passed for 3,428 yards – second-highest total in the state – and accounted for 32 touchdowns (26 passing, 6 rushing).

Jonathan Moore, soph., Lutheran North

One of the youngest players on this list, Moore (6-0, 200) led his Crusaders to a 13-1 mark and the Class 4 championship with one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the state. Completing passes at a 63.9 percent clip, Moore racked up 2,350 yards and 41 touchdowns through the air. He added 609 yards on the ground with seven touchdowns.

Adam McKnight, soph., Nixa

Get used to seeing McKnight’s name on this list. Guiding an offense featuring one of the most talented offensive lines in the state, McKnight’s talent was highlighted as he steered his team to a 14-1 season and a Class 6 runner-up finish. The dual threat passed for 1,733 yards and 22 touchdowns (3 interceptions) and rushed for 608 yards and eight touchdowns.

Kaden Clouse, sr., Seneca

Hidden along the Oklahoma line in the southwest corner of the state, Clouse stepped up on the big stage and proved why he’s one of the state’s top dual-threat quarterbacks yet again. In leading his Seneca team to a state runner-up finish in Class 3, Clouse amassed 2,834 yards of offense (1,132 yards rushing, 1,702 rushing) and accounted for 36 touchdowns (18 passing, 18 rushing).

Kobe Westphal, sr., Warrensburg

Led his Tigers to an 11-2 mark and the Class 4 quarterfinals behind a season that puts him among the state’s elite. Completing a staggering 75 percent of his passes, Westphal amassed 2053 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air, while adding 1,405 yards on the ground (8.7 average) and an additional 19 touchdowns.

Michael Scott, soph., Odessa

The newcomer made a name for himself this season, passing for 2,493 yards and 29 touchdowns for the seven-win Bulldogs.

Nick McClellan, jr., Christian Brothers

Ultimate protector of the football, McClellan (6-0, 180) guided the Cadets (10-2) to a district crown and a third-round finish in the Class 5 playoffs. He passed for 2,062 yards, 22 touchdowns and only one interception while adding 891 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

Owen Nesslage, sr., Kirkwood

While he didn’t factor much in the ground game, Nesslage more than made up for it with his arm. A regarded baseball recruit signed to Division-II Maryville, the 6-6, 210 southpaw turned heads on the football field this season with 3,991 yards, 39 touchdowns and only nine interceptions to lead the 10-3 Pioneers.

Preston Brown, sr., Hillsboro [committed to North Dakota State]

Brown was off to a fine start before an injury cut short his season after just six games. Despite that, he still managed to surpass 1,500 all-purpose yards, as he passed for 952 (and seven touchdowns) while rushing for 591 (10 touchdowns). The injury shouldn’t keep a player of Brown’s caliber off this list.

Rocco Marriott, jr., Platte County

There’s a reason why Marriott (6-4, 203) has received Division I offers from the likes of Kent and UNLV. Talented in all phases, Marriott led the Pirates to a perfect 14-0 season and the Class 5 championship, passing for 3,077 yards and 39 touchdowns (five interceptions) and rushing for 627 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Spensar Sieger, sr., Fair Grove

Forget calling him one of the best quarterbacks in the state, Sieger is one of the best overall athletes in the state. A dual threat at quarterback and a difference maker on defense for the Eagles, Sieger (6-3, 185) led his team to a 14-1 mark and a spot as Class 2 runner-up. He amassed 3,221 yards of offense (2,233 passing, 988 rushing) and 47 touchdowns (32 passing, 15 rushing).

Zane Thomas, jr., Park Hill

Guiding his Class 6 Trojans to a district title and a 9-3 record, Thomas passed for 3,231 yards and 38 touchdowns with only seven interceptions.