By Chris Parker
Kickapoo football won seven games last year, which was the most for the program since winning nine in 2016. That success was powered by a large group of seniors.
“We had 26 seniors last year with a large group of them being first-team all-conference players for us,” Kickapoo head coach Nate Thomas said. “That was a special group that raised the bar for what we want the standard to be here at Kickapoo.”
Five starters return on offense led by Lindenwood wide receiver commit Shaun Campbell. He will be key to the Kickapoo offense this season with his ability out on the edge. Campbell is also a threat in the return game and at corner back.
“Catch radius and ability to get in and out of routes I would say is really what separates (Campbell) and put him at another level,” Thomas said. “(He has the) ability to change a game every time the ball is in his hands. We got to a point where many teams refused to kick him the ball.”
Trey Christian will also be at wide receiver. He holds offers from Pittsburg State and the University of Central Missouri among others.
“(He is) very fast out on the edge and another guy that can change a game anytime he touches it,” Thomas said.
Matt Young and Brandon Davis will handle snaps out of the slot.
Tight ends Paxton Wehner and Trent Harris will also factor into the passing game. Wehner returns as a first-team all-region selection at tight end.
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“Paxton had a great offseason. His conditioning will be critical if he wants to have the season he has planned. Paxton will be playing both sides of the ball this year taking reps at defensive end as well as on offense,” Thomas said. “(He has a) huge frame, is very explosive, and can run and catch. Now he’s going to put some film together with him at defensive end and linebacker. The sky is the limit for Paxton.”
Wehner has offers from Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State among others.
Chase Hamme will take over the duties at quarterback.
“Chase has done a tremendous job all summer for us,” Thomas said. “He has a unique opportunity throwing to the guys he has at his disposal every single day. He will tell you he is pretty spoiled. Chase is a great athlete who is also a great baseball player that has the ability to get out in space and make plays with his legs.”
Juniors Noah Harrell and Demetrius Beasley will handle the ball carrying duties. Harrell is fast running the opening leg of Kickapoo’s 400-meter relay on the track. Beasley is another track guy who is extremely strong with a squat over 450 pounds and a bench press over 340 pounds.
The offensive line will be a work in progress with senior Connor Lutes as the main returning player on that unit.
Kickapoo’s defense was stout last year allowing just 10.7 points per game. Eight of the 11 starters graduated off that team including defensive end Andrew Link who is now at Missouri State.
Replacing the production of the graduated players will be key to Kickapoo’s season.
“(Replacing the graduated players is) hard to do, I’m not going to lie. Those guys were tremendous players for us,” Thomas said. “We have moved some guys around on the defensive side of the ball to fill those voids. We still have a ways to go, but I’m happy with the progress we have made defensively. They have given our offense a great challenge every single day.”
The defensive line should be a strength of the unit with all-conference selections Gannon Benton and Jacob Lomosi returning.
“Gannon is a guy we are asking to take over that defensive end spot where we lost Andrew Link. Gannon will be a three-year starter for us mainly at defensive tackle. He has slimmed down, gotten a ton stronger, and has looked great at defensive end all summer. Having him in the huddle who has done this for three years gives some comfort to some of our newer guys,” Thomas said. “(Lomosi is) another guy who’s had a great Summer. Jake is going to end up playing some offense as well. Has really looked good in his reps at offensive line. He will be a staple in the interior defensive line as well.”
Braden DiSylvester and Whener will also be on the defensive line.
Anthony Eatherly and Wes Mayo will factor in at linebacker. Look for Levi Phillips, Campbell and Jae Hall in the secondary.
Kickapoo will travel to Ozark for a jamboree with the host Tigers and Nixa on Aug. 18. The Chiefs open the regular season on Aug. 25 at Hillcrest.
“These guys have high expectations of themselves,” Thomas said. “They are great competitors. I think this group wants to be in contention for a conference and district title come late in the season.”
