Team Preview: West Plains
In this article:
On paper, West Plains football coach Matt Perkins cautions, his football team has a chance to have a very good season this fall. The coach knows he returns a strong team but also knows anything can happen and successful playoff…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingOn paper, West Plains football coach Matt Perkins cautions, his football team has a chance to have a very good season this fall. The coach knows he returns a strong team but also knows anything can happen and successful playoff runs don’t happen on paper.
The Zizzers are coming off a 10-2 campaign that culminated with a heartbreaking six-point loss to Helias in the Class 4 quarterfinals. They lost all-state running back Titus Seley Titus Seley 5'7" | 180 lbs | RB West Plains High | 2021 State MO to graduation but return 26 seniors and 18 starters, including their entire offensive line.
“I think we’ve got a really good opportunity to be, hopefully, a step better than last year,” the coach said.
Here is a quick look at the players to watch for West Plains this fall…
CLASS OF 2022
Connor Lair Connor Lair 6'1" | 225 lbs | ATH West Plains | 2022 State MO , 6-0, 220, RB-LB
Lair was the Ozark Conference defensive player of the year and a first-team all-state selection as a junior after a monster season that included 126 tackles, 11.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, three defensive touchdowns, two blocked punts and a forced fumble. This fall he could be even more of a problem for opponents. “He’s the real deal,” Perkins said. “We’re going to move him to tailback and he’s going to take on the role that Seley had last year. … He’s just a little bit different. He’s a playmaker.” Lair, a four-year starter, has received offers from Air Force, Army, Southeast Missouri State and Southern Illinois, among others, and could attract several more with another strong season.
Jaylon James Jaylon James 6'8" | 285 lbs | OL West Plains | 2022 State MO , 6-7, 285, OL
Another Division I recruit and another first-team all-state selection as a junior, James started last season at around 335 pounds and is down to 285 now, Perkins said. “He’s trimmed down,” the coach said of his left tackle. “He’s moving a lot better. He’s running a lot better. … He’s our bell cow.” Like Lair, another strong season for James will open even more opportunities in recruiting.
Dagen Kenslow Dagen Kenslow 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB West Plains | 2022 State MO , 6-2, 190, QB
Kenslow turned in an all-state season a year ago after making the switch to quarterback and should be even better this fall with a bevy of outstanding weapons to work with. He passed for 1,423 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior and ran for 1,053 yards and 14 scores. “He’s just different,” Perkins said. “He’s had a phenomenal summer. … He’s as athletic as his film shows and then probably even more. He had never played quarterback before the start of last year.”
Blake Reid Blake Reid 6'2" | 305 lbs | OL West Plains | 2022 MO , 6-2, 305, OL
Reid will line up next to James as the Zizzers’ left guard, but likely projects to center at the next level. “He’s a really good football player,” Perkins said.
Josh Leazer Josh Leazer 6'5" | 180 lbs | WR West Plains | 2022 MO , 6-5, 180, WR
The coach has high hopes for Leazer, who he said is an 11.2-second 100-meter dash guy and a 44-feet triple jumper. “He’s fairly new to football and he’s learning, but he’s had a phenomenal summer,” Perkins said. “… I think he’s going to have a pretty big season.”
Aedyn Holt Aedyn Holt 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB West Plains | 2022 MO , 5-10, 195, OLB
Garrett Drown Garrett Drown 5'11" | 190 lbs | LB West Plains | 2022 MO , 5-11, 190, MLB
Holt and Drown, both starters since they were sophomores, are both making the move from defensive line to linebacker and have looked good this offseason. “They kind of make us go on the defensive side of things,” Perkins said. Holt missed most of last season with a knee injury but returned late in the campaign and made a big impact. Perkins said Holt and Drown are similar in how they play as smart, high-motor guys.
Jason Lopez Jason Lopez 5'11" | 180 lbs | LB West Plains | 2022 MO , 5-11, 180, OLB
Perkins had high praise for Lopez. “He’s the most athletic kid I’ve got and nobody knows about him,” the coach said. Perkins said Lopez ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at a combine while recording a broad jump of 9 feet 10 inches and a vertical leap of 37 1/2 inches. “He plays at outside linebacker because he’s so physical but he’s a defensive back at the next level,” the coach said.
CLASS OF 2023
Heston Miller Heston Miller 6'2" | 195 lbs | WR West Plains | 2023 State MO , 6-1, 195, WR-CB
Miller had a strong sophomore season and followed that up with a good track season in the track and will be a difference maker on both sides of the ball this fall as a junior. He could emerge as a big-time prospect at safety with his speed and athletic ability. “He’s probably going to fill out in the next year or so,” Perkins said. “He looks like he could put on a lot of muscle and carry it well.”
Magnus Sanders Magnus Sanders 6'0" | 365 lbs | OL West Plains | 2023 State MO , 6-0, 365, C
Sanders will anchor the Zizzers’ offensive line from the center spot and is more athletic than his weighing 365 pounds may indicate. “He runs extremely well,” Perkins said. “… He’s led us in pancakes this summer. He’s been really effective. He started as a sophomore last year.”
Garrett Mahan Garrett Mahan 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE West Plains | 2023 State MO , 6-6, 235, TE
Perkins said Mahan will man the H-back role that Lair excelled in last year after being a backup defensive end last season. The coach said Mahan is smart (4.13 grade-point average) and physical.
Follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at @natelatsch.