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LIBERTY, Mo. — The Friday night lights burned bright in Missouri this season, as high school football delivered another chapter worthy of the record books. Liberty North proved its mettle once more, stringing together another impressive campaign and wins over eventual Class 6 State Champ, Lee’s Summit, Rockhurst, and Park Hill. The Liberty Blue Jays bulldozed their way through the season and playoffs, once again capturing the Class 6 District 8 Title, and adding a Red Suburban Conference championship to their trophy case. Head Coach Chad Frigon was named Suburban Red Conference Coach of the Year.

But it was the Kearney Bulldogs who provided the season’s most electric storyline—toppling Savannah again for the District 8 title, then rolling through the playoffs and to St. Joe for the Class 4 state championship, which concluded in a tough 21-14 victory over Hannibal, solidifying an undefeated 14-0 record, and earning the program’s 6th state football title. Only Rockhurst High School now has more state championship titles on the Missouri side of the KC Metro. Defensive Coordinator Marcus Brinkley was named the Class 4 Assistant Coach of the Year. Head Coach Logan Minnick was named Class 4 Coach of the Year.

As the final whistle echoed across Missouri’s fields, the curtain fell on a season that demanded everything from its players’ grit, heart, and the kind of toughness forged in the crucible of Friday nights. For the seniors, these gridiron battles marked the end of a journey that began back in the flag football days, when dreams were as big as the stadium lights. Now, as helmets and pads are set aside, we salute not just the athletes, but the families, coaches, and communities who fueled their rise—each a vital thread in the tapestry of Missouri football.

All-State Players – Kearney

Quarterback Carter Temple, Junior, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. Temple is the Class 4 Offensive Player of the Year and winner of the Frank Fontana award. He contributed over 2,400 yards of offense and 40 touchdowns (18 passing and 22 rushing) to a potent Kearney offense that averaged over 41 points per game.

Defensive Lineman, Senior Isaac Beaver, 6-foot-2, 285. Beaver is the Class 4 Defensive Player of the Year. He is the winner of the Bobby Bell Award and was the Blue Suburban Defensive Player of the Year. This was his second time earning First-Team All-State honors. He will be playing for the University of North Dakota next season.

Running Back, Corbin Emmons, Senior, 6-foot, 190 pounds. Emmons started seeing varsity play as a freshman. He got reps in two state championship games. With over 700 yards in the 2025 season and 12 touchdowns, he was a hammer in the running game for the Bulldogs.

Tight End Drew Nelson, Senior, 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, scored 4 touchdowns and had over 220 yards on 13 receptions. He took on place-kicking duties for the team this year as well. Nelson is a strong, athletic, and excellent blocker.

Offensive Lineman, Senior Nyk Belabre, 6-foot-3, 288 pounds. Belabre is committed to playing football next year at Washburn University. He was a big part of Kearney’s ground-and-pound offense.

Linebacker/Safety, Junior Aiden Arellano, 5-foot-11, 195. High-energy and hard-hitting Arellano finished with 125 tackles in the season. He has started for two seasons that have been some of the best defensive teams in Kearney history. One more season to go.

Defensive Back, Senior Brad Doll, 6-foot, 185. Doll will forever be remembered in Kearney sports for his gymnastic and athletic interception in the fourth quarter of the state championship game, which essentially ended any chance of a comeback by the Hannibal Pirates.

Defensive Back, Junior Kale Tucking, 5-foot-10, 182. Tucking had almost 300 yards in punt returns in 2025. Tucking had a 50+ yard interception in the playoff game against Warrensburg. He runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and competes in three sports.

Linebacker, Junior Luke Tucking, 5-foot-9, 210. Tucking had over 90 tackles on the season, with 7 sacks. He also had one interception. Watch for Tucking on the baseball diamond in the Spring.

Running Back, Junior Dryden Hendrix, 5-foot-9, 190. Hendrix averaged over 7 yards per carry on a workhorse season, sharing reps with Corbin Emmons. He managed to get 1,175 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns.

Returner Matthew Lindsey, Junior 5-foot-11, 180. Lindsey averaged 6 yards per carry. He had 12 receptions for 113 yards, 199 yards in returns, and 329 yards rushing. Expect Lindsey’s role to increase as Kearney makes a run back at state in 2026.

All-District — Kearney

Seniors

Travis Jarrett (O-Line), Kalan Bomar (O-Line), Connor Reid (D-Back), Mason Beaver (D-Line), Brad Doll (D-Back), Isaac Beaver (D-Line), Cameron Emmons (RB), Drew Nelson (TE), Nyk Belabre (O-Line)

Juniors

JD Romero (O-Line), Cohen Dray (Specialist), Matthew Lindsey (Returner), Luke Tucking (LB), Kale Tucking (D-Back), Aiden Arellano (LB), Dryden Hendriz (RB), Carter Temple (QB)

All State Players – Liberty

Offensive Lineman, Senior Jonathan Pearcy, 6-foot-4, 300. Pearcy was the Red Suburban Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the All-Simone Team. He had 96 Knockdown Blocks in 32 quarters played. He had zero sacks allowed and only two pressures. He is committed to continuing his football career at the University of Wyoming.

Defensive End, Senior George Richter, 6-foot-3, 220. A relentless defensive force on the field, Richter will continue his career at Drake University next season. His physicality and explosiveness will make him a problem for quarterbacks at the next level.

Linebacker, Senior Grady Coppinger, 6-foot-1, 210. Coppinger had 122 tackles and 8 sacks on the season. He also pressured quarterbacks 19 times and had a pick-6. He is committed to playing at the next level at Pittsburg State.

Linebacker, Senior Brooks Ragland, 6-foot-2, 210. He has a 4.17 GPA and will be taking his academic and football talents to the University of Northern Iowa next season.

Defensive Back, Senior Logan Sutton, 6-foot, 175. A tremendous multi-sport athlete with a 4.2 GPA, Sutton is committed to playing baseball at Saint Louis University. He had a dynamic 50-yard interception for a touchdown vs. Liberty North in the playoffs this season.

All-District – Liberty

Seniors

Kobe Wright (D-Line), George Richter (D-End), Logan Sutton (D-Back), Brooks Ragland (LB), Grady Coppinger (LB), Jonathan Pearce (O-Line), Lincoln Dwiggins (Kicker), Deacon Price (Returner), Colt Holin (RB), Brooks Lawson (O-Line), Trey Endsley (O-Line), Conner Hatfield (QB)

Juniors

Masen Bindel (RB)

All State Players – Liberty North

Defensive Back, Senior Trashundon Neal, 6-foot-2, 180. He has 11 D1 offers, was a finalist for the Andrew Maloney Award, and is a member of the All-Simone team. This dynamic defender was also selected for the PrepsKC Elite Team.

Running Back, Senior Zemar Cheatam, 5-foot-10, 195. Cheatam has 1,572 yards and 23 touchdowns this season. Explosive and agile, with the ability to break big runs, Cheatam was a workhorse for this Eagles’ team.

Defensive End, Senior Preston Cook, 6-foot-4, 225. Also an Academic All-State football player, Cook is a great all-around athlete with impressive numbers in the weight room, agility, and speed. A multisport athlete, he has competed in throwing events during the track and field season.

All-District – Liberty North

Seniors

Derrick Davis (D-End), Preston Cook (D-End), Brock Sumler (O-Line), Zemar Cheatam (RB), Trashundon Neal (D-Back

Juniors

Tavion Heyward (O-Line), Ty Lang (D-Back), Jaxen Proden (WR)

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