A Fresh Look for the Zizzers
The Zizzers burst onto the scene with a 9‑3 record, securing a second consecutive district championship and sharing the Ozark Mountain Conference title in their first year under head coach Brock Kenaga. The achievement set a high bar for the upcoming season and generated excitement across the community.
Graduation swept away most of the starting lineup, leaving only six players who saw significant snaps the previous year. The coaching staff, led by Kenaga, has emphasized continuity and team unity as the foundation for the new roster.
Quarterback duties will be up for grabs as Aden Judd and Cale Combs battle to replace Ethan Miller, who departed with 2,732 passing yards. Both bring dynamic skill sets, and the competition is expected to shape the offensive identity early in the season.
At running back, Gavin Marshall steps into the primary feature role after Jackson Taylor’s graduation. Taylor’s 1,382 rushing yards set a high standard, and Marshall’s blend of speed and power is seen as the next cornerstone of the ground game.
The receiving corps will welcome fresh talent. Hurley Schofield and Memphis Wade are among the new players poised to fill the void left by the top five pass catchers from last year, adding depth and new route concepts to the offense.
The offensive line returns several key contributors. Hudson Patillo will anchor the tight end position, while Carter Cunningham, Morgan Groves, Bryson Gerdes, Jackson Hufstedler, and Eli Hutsler all return to provide continuity along the line.
Defensively, the line will see a mix of experience and new faces. Defensive lineman Jaxon Hunter, the OMC Defensive Player of the Year, has moved on, but Peyton Allen and Ruker Freeman return. Allen, an honorable‑mention all‑conference tackler, will line up at defensive end, while Freeman, who led the team with seven sacks last season, will anchor the nose guard spot.
The secondary will benefit from the return of Dason Roberts, an honorable‑mention all‑conference player who brings a linebacker‑like approach from the safety position, adding versatility to the defense.
The schedule begins with a jamboree in Rolla on August 22, followed by the regular‑season opener on August 28 at Miller Career Academy. These early games will serve as crucial evaluations for the new combinations.
Coach Kenaga has repeatedly stressed that team unity and mutual support are the program’s greatest strengths. He believes that if the players embrace those principles, the Zizzers can build on their recent successes and aim for another championship run.