Brock Kenaga begins his second season leading the Zizzer football program with a team roster boasting quite a few new names.
West Plains ended the last season 9-4 in the Class 4, District 6 quarterfinals.
The Zizzers lost 15 seniors to graduation and have 13 seniors on this year's team. The roster also includes 26 freshmen.
With so many players stepping into new roles, Kenaga suggested much of the early season will be about developing experience and consistency.
As for varsity players back this year, "I had three returners on defense and three returners on offense, but two of those guys played both sides of the ball," he said with a smile.
Kenaga identified senior defensive linemen Ruker Freeman and Peyton Allen as two players who could make an impact.
Aiden Judd also returns for his third year and will play on both offense and defense.
"Ruker Freeman and Peyton Allen are exceptional players," Kenaga said. "And of course Aiden Judd, this will be his third year starting for me on defense at outside linebacker. He'll play both sides of the ball, he's a very dynamic player."
With the young players, Kenaga said the focus will be on continuing improvement.
"We just want to continue to grow throughout the season," he said.
Kenaga said he has used that approach throughout his coaching career, with the goal of having his teams playing their best football late in the season.
For West Plains, he encourages using each game to correct mistakes and build toward the postseason.
"I say this every year, but it's really what I've done throughout my whole career," said the coach. "We just want to be playing our best football come game 10."
That development, he said, will come through the weekly process of identifying problems, correcting them and moving forward.
"And that's really our goal, just every game, getting a little bit better, fixing mistakes and learning from our mistakes," said Kenaga. "And then, by game 10, being able to play error free."
Catch the full feature on the Zizzer Football team, including more photos and coach interviews, in the Quill’s free 44-page Zizzer Fall Sports Preview Magazine! Copies will be available at area businesses and home games beginning Aug. 26.
