The Paola football team enters the 2026 season with a mix of returning experience and new faces, hoping steady improvement throughout the fall can lead to better results.
The Panthers went 5-5 last season and return five starters on both sides of the ball. While Paola graduated several talented players, coach Mike Smith believes the pieces are in place for his team to take another step forward.
“We have some talented returning players and lost some talented ones as well,” Smith said. “We are looking to get better each week at practice and each game.”
Smith, who is entering his 30th year at Paola, will have five returning offensive starters to build around, including several players who made significant contributions a year ago.
Junior running back Bodhi Shay is one of the Panthers’ biggest returning playmakers. Shay rushed for 1,085 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while adding 175 receiving yards.
Junior quarterback Mason Stein also returns after throwing for 1,340 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2025. His experience under center should give Paola an important piece to build its offense around.
Senior athlete Blake Costlow provides versatility after contributing 150 passing yards, 200 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards last season. Senior offensive tackle Jax Troutman and offensive guard Kayden Hendrickson give the Panthers experience up front, while junior slot Landon Murdock returns after recording 150 rushing yards and 175 receiving yards.
Paola will use a multiple offensive formation, allowing the Panthers to utilize their returning skill players in a variety of ways.
The Panthers also return five defensive starters, giving the coaching staff experience on that side of the ball.
Troutman anchors the defensive front after recording 65 tackles last season. Senior linebacker Rylan Grandon returns after making 50 tackles, while Murdock contributed 48 tackles from the secondary.
Costlow also returns to the defensive backfield after recording 40 tackles and four interceptions last season.
The Panthers will face a challenging schedule that includes games against Fort Scott, Louisburg, Ottawa, Tonganoxie, Pittsburg, Rock Creek, Bonner Springs and Eudora.
For Paola, the focus entering the season is less about looking too far ahead and more about building consistency every time the Panthers take the field.
“We are looking to get better each week at practice and each game,” Smith said.
With returning starters on both sides of the ball and several experienced players back in key roles, Paola will look to turn that week-to-week progress into a successful 2026 campaign.
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