Paris coyotes

The 2022 season was a tough one for Paris. It also marked the end of an era, as the Coyotes moved out of their 11-man classification and joined the 8-man slate of football. The team won just one game last fall, a 36-0 stomping of Missouri Military Academy. Unfortunately, though, Paris was usually on the other end of those types of games. The team was shut out on three separate occasions and held to single digits in all but two games. The Coyotes, though, kept brushing the dirt off their jerseys and coming back out for more. That attitude speaks as highly of them as any positive win-loss record could.

Paris graduated nine seniors from last year’s team and brings back a number of quality starters to the squad this year. Senior QB Colton Kendrick (5-10, 165) will be tasked with shepherding the offense into 8-man ball. Kendrick has a rocket of an arm, but is exceptionally fearsome when he gets out of the pocket. A strong, slippery runner, Kendrick can be a handful to bring down. His experience under center will pay dividends for the Paris offense in the year ahead. Sophomore QB Luke Esnor (5-9, 125) will perform backup duties for Kendrick. Esnor has been a willing understudy, copiously taking notes to prepare for the moment

Class: 8-Man

Conference: LCC

Head Coach: Cody Carney

Years at School: First

Overall Record: 12-36

Offensive Starters Returning: 6

Defensive Starters Returning: 6

Total Returning Lettermen: 6

2022 Overall Record: 1-9 when he eventually takes the reins from Kendrick.

A player who might be poised for a breakout year is junior RB Gatlin Fountain (5-6, 155). Fountain’s low center of gravity makes him an ideal rusher. Despite his size, he has shown an ability to see lanes clearly, and his speed makes him a threat for a long play at any point in the game. He might feature particularly well in 8-man football, as the edge is just a bit closer for ball-carriers. And when Fountain does hit that edge, hold on tight, because he’s liable to get to the sidelines and run for daylight before you can even blink. Getting carries after Fountain will be junior RB Aron McCain (5-7, 150) and sophomore RB Payden Crain (5-9, 155). McCain covets the chance to scamper—he can be particularly hard to contain—while Crain is more the type of rusher to initiate contact. Any one of these backs could churn out a long gain seemingly out of nowhere.

The Paris offensive line, though, just may be the team’s bread and butter.

All back in starting action in 2023 are senior G/FB Brandon Callison (5-11, 175), senior G Evan Reichmann (6-4, 195), junior G/TE Reid Ragsdale (5-10, 180), and junior C Ian Farrell (5-5, 230). Sophomore G Zach Howard (5-9, 245) is set to offer depth to this strong, deep group. Callison and Ragsdale will be of particular importance to the Coyotes in 2023. Their versatility will allow firstyear Head Coach Cody Carney and his staff to devise some schemes that will surprise defenses. Both will be massive in red-zone situations, with Callison asked to get short-yardage gains and Ragsdale acting as a passing target for Kendrick. It’s entirely possible that any of junior TE Brady Shivers (6-0, 180), junior TE Cole Dowell (5-9, 160), or sophomore TE Owen Buie (5-9, 135) end up playing a similar role at some point in the year ahead. Says Carney, of his offense as a whole, “Our strengths will be using our speed and athleticism on offense. We will rely on a good mix of run and pass.”

Paris brings some quality experience back to the defensive side of the ball as well. The D-line will be particularly deep, with a number of returning starters back in action. Senior DE Brandon Callison, senior DE Evan Reichmann, junior DE/LB Reid Ragsdale, and junior DT Ian Farrell are a strong veteran group. As on offense, Ragsdale’s ability to slot in at multiple positions will be huge. Junior LB Gatlin Fountain is back to make tackles at linebacker, while senior CB Colton Kendrick will lead the Paris secondary. Fountain and Kendrick are both pure playmakers, and a threat to score some defensive touchdowns in the year ahead. “On defense, we’ll look to keep things simple and play fast,” Carney says. There’s a lot of newness around the Paris squad this year. The team will have to adapt to a new form of football under a new head coach. But Carney’s core tenets should gain buy-in from the

Coyote locker room. “I coach character, commitment, and working hard every day,” Carney says. “I believe if we try to work hard and try to do the right things in our lives, winning will take care of itself.” And he remains undeterred by the challenges ahead. “I’m very excited for the upcoming season,” Carney says. “I hope it will be a great first season of eight-man for the kids. They’ve been working hard and are looking forward to the season.” Expect major improvements from Paris in their inaugural 8-man season.