By Chris Parker
Kickapoo went 8-1 in the regular season in 2023 finishing runner-up in the Ozark Conference.
The Chiefs fell to Joplin in the Class 6 District 5 semifinal round.
That matchup with former Ozark conference foe Joplin returns to the regular season schedule as a conference matchup after Kickapoo, along with several other Ozark Conference teams, will join the Central Ozark Conference this season.
“We are joining one of the best football conferences in the entire state,” Kickapoo head coach Nate Thomas said. “Our players are looking forward to it. There are a ton of teams with great players and great coaches. Saying “Iron Sharpens Iron” comes to mind. You have to be well prepared and ready to roll every Friday night. I believe it will pay dividends for every team in our conference come playoff time.”
Kickapoo will have to replace a deep and talented senior class for a second consecutive season. Last year’s senior group included 11 players who are playing college football.
“We have been extremely lucky to have some great football players come through of program these past few years,” Thomas said. “11 of those guys last year have gone on to play college football. I thought they did a tremendous job of raising the bar within our program. Just a bunch of guys we loved as coaches who were very hard to see leave. They are going to do great things for the programs they are now a part of.”
A pair of all-conference juniors highlight the five returning starters on offense.
Parker Kiebach was named second-team all-conference on the offensive line as a sophomore. His size sets him apart.
“He (Kiebach) is a specimen to say the least when you watch what he does in the weight room,” Thomas said. “Scary thing is I think he continues to grow. His dad is 6’7 and his grandpa is pushing 7-foot; just super athletic for his size.”
He comes in this season with a better understanding of the Kickapoo offense. Thomas said he will also see some time at defensive end.
“(Kiebach) still needs to continue to develop that mean streak we need every single snap when he is in the game,” Thomas said. “I think playing a little defensive end will help with that from time to time.”
While Kiebach is the only returning all-conference selection on the line, he is far from the only player returning to what should be a strong unit.
Seniors Bryan Johnson and Landon Sponsel along with junior Preston Roberts all are two-year starters. Zane Mizell and Luke Whitten, both seniors, will also be factors on the offensive line.
One of the key players running behind that line will be junior Nick Lipari. Lipari was named honorable mention all-conference last season.
“His (Lipari’s) vision is awesome. Biggest thing is he has put on some weight that I think will pay dividends for him throughout our schedule,” Thomas said. “Expect big things from him this season. He is a huge threat out of the backfield because of his speed and ability to catch the ball at multiple positions.”
Lipari could see time out at receiver along with returning kicks and punts.
Trevor Chandler, Javon Mack, Joey Cloninger and Justin Harris are all other players who could see carries.
Quarterback has both senior Ben Johnson and junior Brooks Eaton in the mix for snaps.
“Both bring different things to the table for sure,” Thomas said. “Ben played a ton of running back last year after playing his first two years at quarterback. Brooks is our starting catcher for our baseball team and has a very big arm. Both are great leaders and don’t be surprised if you see them both a lot on Friday nights.”
Senior Andrew Bartels along with juniors Tevin Christian and Jaxon Hill will be key wide receivers for the team.
Thomas on Bartels: “Andrew Bartels has done a tremendous job of staying ready. With the receiver crew we had last year it was difficult to find time at that position. Andrew would have been a starter as a junior in a lot of the years I’ve coached here at Kickapoo. Great route runner and very high football IQ.”
Thomas on Tevin Christian: “He is everything you want in a wide receiver. Very athletic and super competitive.”
Thomas on Hill: “Super athletic and one of the quickest guys we have. He is fearless in how he goes after the football.”
Brody Wilson (junior) and Wes Mayo (senior) are the top tight ends.
Thomas on Wilson: “Brody got a lot of time after our senior tight end broke his ankle Week 3 last year. Brody is a big body that is a great run blocker and does a nice job finding voids in the passing game.”
Thomas on Mayo: “We will use him sparingly due to the importance he has to our defense. At 6’6, 245 pounds, he definitely looks the part at tight end for us. Look forward to getting him some snaps and letting him do what he does.”
Six defensive starters return led by Levi Phillips. The senior free safety is the lone returning first-team all-conference player for Kickapoo.
“He (Phillips) is like having another coach on the field. That, combined with his length, make him very valuable for us in the back half,” Thomas said. “He is our quarterback on the defensive side of the ball, there is no doubt. We need him to step up and take on that leadership role and get our guys to play to our standard of defense we have become accustomed to.”
Trenton Garton also returns at safety after earning honorable mention all-conference honors last season.
“He (Garton) had a big offseason. He is unbelievably strong for his size. Just one more year within our system on defense and he looks a little more comfortable as each day passes,” Thomas said. “The sky is the limit for Trenton. He throws his body around like he has a spare at home. He only knows one way to play, and he is fun to watch run around at practice every day.”
Carden Underwood will also see time at safety in his junior season. Look for the junior quartet of Steven Banks, Jaxon Hill, Ahmaun Fowler and Tevin Christian at cornerback.
Up front, Braden Disylvester earned honorable mention all-conference honors at defensive end.
“He is one of the most explosive athletes we have in any sport here at Kickapoo. He has one of the best motors I have ever seen in a player. He is relentless. He plays the game the right way,” Thomas said.
Seniors Luke Whitten, Morgan Nicholls and Zane Mizzell along with junior Justin Escobar will also factor in on the defensive line. Nicholls bench presses 480 pounds according to Thomas.
Jamarcus Powell returns at linebacker in his senior season after playing almost every snap last season. Mayo along with many others will look to factor in at linebacker as well.
Kickapoo will host Nixa and Ozark for a jamboree on Aug. 23. The Chiefs open the season, and their membership in the COC, with a district semifinal rematch against Joplin at home on Aug. 30 before traveling to Neosho in Week 2.
