7-2 West Plains set to host Jefferson City for quarterfinals

Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, October 28, 2026

The West Plains Zizzers football squad closed the regular season with a 33-10 win over the Marshfield Blue Jays on Friday at Zizzer Stadium, and now turns its attention to the Class 5, District 5 playoffs.

West Plains Head Coach Brock Kenaga credited his players’ energy and commitment to the team’s upperclassmen for helping drive the performance.

“Our kids played with great enthusiasm and really played for our seniors,” Kenaga said.

The Zizzers have steadily improved through the season, with their play in the trenches providing a foundation on both sides of the ball.

“Our offensive and defensive lines have really set the tone,” Kenaga said. “They really lead our team.”

Special teams also delivered an important spark Friday, Kenaga noted, specifically when the kickoff unit raced downfield and pinned Marshfield deep to help establish the tone for the night.

Beyond execution, Kenaga said game mentality is one of the team’s biggest areas of growth.

“The thing that I feel that has changed us for the better all year is their toughness mentally to keep fighting when things aren’t going well,” he said.

The Zizzers will put that preparation to the test at 7 p.m. Friday, when they host Jefferson City in a Class 5 District 5 playoff game at Zizzer Stadium.

Kenaga said he likes the combination his team is bringing into the postseason, with an offense finding its rhythm and a defense making things difficult for opponents.

“Our kids have prepared well for the postseason,” he said. “Our offense is clicking and the defense is stingy. This is a good combination.”

School officials said admission to Friday’s game is $6 for adults and students.

Cash will be accepted at the gate, but season passes and discounts will not be honored, and digital ticketing will not be available.

With Halloween falling on Saturday, officials also reminded attendees that costume masks will not be permitted at the game and asked that fans not bring inappropriate props.