After a 3-6 season in 2025, the Fort Scott Tigers believe they are positioned to take a significant step forward this fall.
Second-year head coach Johnathan Stark returns a roster that features 14 letter winners, including four offensive and five defensive starters. While the Tigers are replacing several key graduates, they also welcome back an experienced junior class and a senior group Stark believes can provide the leadership needed to compete in one of Class 4A’s toughest leagues.
“Our success this season will be defined by our commitment to our culture,” Stark said. “We must mesh our talent with great team chemistry, discipline, and accountability to one another. Our mindset is simple: lead, follow, or get out of the way.”
The offense will revolve around senior quarterback Dredyn Marlow, who started the final four games of last season and provides added balance with his passing ability. Joining him in the backfield are junior Creed Clayton, a first-team All-Southeast Kansas League selection and honorable mention all-state running back, and senior fullback Paxton Allen, who earned second-team all-league honors in 2025. Clayton rushed for 739 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while Allen added 470 rushing yards.
Stark is also optimistic about a talented group of receivers led by Jax Armstrong, along with Gavin Aikin, Colt Lipe, Lukas Ogran and Cole Doherty. At tight end, sophomore Kyron Kegler gives the Tigers another versatile weapon, while Cooper Cannon, Bryson Clark and Isaak Bishop provide quality depth.
The offensive line features returning starter Terron Nutter, while Brodie Stoughton, Dayton Jackson, Cooper Murrow, Bryton Thurston and Rylan Moore will compete for the remaining starting spots.
Defensively, Fort Scott expects its senior leadership to set the tone. Allen, Stoughton and defensive back Shai Kennedy headline a unit that also returns experienced contributors Bryson Clark, Isaak Bishop, Karsten Miles, Armstrong and Mitchell Avery. Sophomores Kyler Keating and Rush Newton gained valuable experience last season and are expected to take on expanded roles.
Despite having just seven seniors on the roster, Stark believes the Tigers are more talented than they were a year ago.
“Overall, we enter the 2026 season with more talent than we had a year ago,” Stark said. “While we have a relatively small senior class, our biggest hurdle will be overcoming initial inexperience. Fortunately, our seniors provide excellent leadership, and the roster depth has created incredible competition for playing time in all three phases of the game.”
The Tigers open the season Sept. 4 at home against Paola before navigating a demanding Southeast Kansas League schedule that includes Labette County, Chanute, Independence and Coffeyville. After finishing 2-2 in league play last season, Fort Scott hopes improved depth and internal competition will translate into more victories.
Stark knows the Tigers face a difficult road in the Southeast Kansas League but believes their identity can carry them through the challenges ahead.
“We expect to play hard every single snap and improve on a weekly basis,” Stark said. “Our goal is to be a football team that is tough to beat because of our execution and an identity built on our commitment that we will not be outworked or outhit in any phase of the game.”
