Former Zizzer Coach Merrell to be honored with reception

Fred Merrell, who was a football coach at West Plains High School from 1965 through 1972, will be honored at a reception from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the Redbud Room of the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. Merrell, 92, lives in Kansas City and is traveling here with his daughter. Merrell was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2015 and coached for a total of 46 years, 41 of which he spent as head coach at West Plains and Blue Springs. All former football players, students and community members who would like to attend are invited.