By Chris Parker
Veteran coach Brock Kenaga takes over as head coach of the West Plains football program this season.
It was a move he wasn’t necessarily seeking out, but everything fell in place for him to jump back into head coaching.
“I really wasn’t sure that I wanted to take this position, but talking with people in the community and other coaches on staff and administration, they ensured me that I was fit for the job,” Kenga said. “Next thing you know, I ended up taking the job. It really wasn’t something that I was pursuing. I retired from Liberty in 2023 then came here. I have been here two years as an assistant, so I do know the workings of the community and how things work here at West Plains. I wasn’t quite sure I was ready to jump back into a head coaching position, but it is hard to walk away at the same time.”
The longtime Liberty coach has long been familiar with the Zizzer football program even before taking on a role as an assistant coach.
“One thing that appealed to me from a coaching standpoint is the tradition they have established here,” Kenaga said. “Coach (Steve) Ary really started the tradition here at West Plains. Coach Ary means a lot to me. He coached me in high school. I feel like he really got the tradition started. Then coach (Matt) Perkins came along and he built on that. Then coach (Joel) Wyatt, another great coach, comes along and won a lot as well. The standards are really high here at West Plains. They expect to win, but they also know what it takes to win. They are willing to work and do the little things to make things work.”
Kenaga’s coaching staff features a host of players he has coached throughout his career. That includes a new offensive coordinator in Jaelon Acklins who found success in high school at Liberty, in college at Western Illinois and in the professional ranks in the Canadian Football League.
“He (Acklin) brings a lot of energy and a lot of knowledge,” Kenaga said. “Whenever most people think about Jaelon Acklin, they think about the highlight reels and touchdowns. What most people don’t know about him is that he grew up in a coach’s household. His dad is a legendary coach. Jaelon has been lucky enough to be around a lot of great coaches, and he has absorbed a lot of knowledge. I think that is the one thing that most people don’t realize about Jaelon is how much knowledge he has and how intelligent and savvy (he is). He brings a lot of experience to the team.”
Acklin is just one of many of Kenaga’s former players who went on to become coaches.
“It is my greatest accomplishment to be honest. I have 15 former players that are coaching high school football. That is a testament not just to me but to coach Darin Acklin too. We raised these kids and saw them come up through. We feel like we did some things right because they love high school football and still want to be part of it,” Kenaga said.
Kenaga and Acklin will have seven starters returning on the offensive side of ball.
All-state wide receiver Jacob Moore returns after catching 49 passes for 867 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
“(Moore) understands space really well,” Kenaga said. “That is one thing ever since I came here that I have noticed about him. He of course has all of the traits of good players. He has toughness. He has good work ethic. He runs his routes hard. All the great ones do. The thing I have noticed about him is he understands spatial awareness really well. He knows when to sit down. He knows when to try and escape and get space. He always seems to be open.”
Ethan Miller started at wide receiver last season and moves to quarterback this season. Jackson Taylor was a wide receiver and utility type player last season and will be a running back this season.
Luke Cropper returns at fullback.
Jaxon Hunter will be a two-way force on both the offensive and defensive lines. He was a unanimous first-team all-conference honoree on the defensive line last season.
“He plays at such a high level and plays so many reps. It is very special because he doesn’t drop off much,” Kenaga said. “He has a great motor. He is extremely strong. He will be a four-year starter. He is a really good player and a staple here. The kids all look up to him. He is a great teammate and great student. He is kind of the whole package.”
Shane Curtis also returns to start on the offensive line.
Sam Allen will handle duties at center.
“Sam is 6’3, 320 pounds. He is the strongest player on our team, and he is highly intelligent,” Kenaga said. “He has been waiting in the wings behind some really good linemen.”
Carter Cunningham and Morgan Groves round out the offensive line.
Aden Judd will play tight end.
Kicker Reed Cobb also returns.
Defensively, Judd and Moore will be key returners at outside linebacker.
“In the defense we play (outside linebacker) is the premier position,” Kenaga said. “If I don’t have them then I am not very good. I have two good ones. Jacob Moore and Aden Judd are both tall and super athletic. They are very good players. I am lucky to bring both of them back.”
Rayden Wilson, Gavin Marshall and Warren Lawson will also be on the second level at linebacker in West Plains’ 3-5-3 scheme.
Taylor was a starting safety last season, but will be limited on defense as he handles running back duties. Josiah Long, Dason Roberts and Malachi Maupin will be in the secondary.
Ruker Freeman and Peyton Allen will join Hunter on the defensive line.
West Plains opens the season on Aug. 29 at home against Mountain Home (Ark). The Zizzers will be looking for a ninth consecutive winning season.
“The wins always come if you do the little things right,” Kenaga said. “We are trying to emphasize the family core, taking care of each other, always having a positive attitude and always doing the right thing on and off the field. Not just whenever the coaches are watching you, but when you are out in the community. West Plains Zizzer football is such a staple of this community that people expect a lot out of them, so the eyes are always on them. I don’t want them to feel that pressure, but I want them to embrace that and like it. They should feel special because they are special. As long as we take care of each other and do the small things, I feel like the wins will come.”
