Paris enters year with young team, hoping to build on successful 2025 season
Published 7:03 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2026
PARIS, Mo. – Paris heads into the 2026 Eight-Man football season with a young roster, several unanswered questions, and the belief it can build on last year’s 6-4 campaign.
Graduation hit the Coyotes hard. Gone are standouts Luke Ensor, Payden Crain, Brad Skinner, Chase Kendrick, Zach Howard, Jackson Rutherford and Owen Bowie — all central pieces in a season that produced a 5-2 district record and a playoff run that ended with a 50-20 loss to rival North Shelby.
“You know, we just had a lot of guys who contributed in different ways. Just a great class, great group of kids,” head coach Cody Carney said. “You can’t ever really replace a kid, but you try to reinvent what they did with another kid.”
Carney will lean heavily on seniors Sawyer Clements and Logan Mitchell for leadership on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Spencer Minks steps into the spotlight at quarterback, replacing the talented Ensor.
Up front, Paris expects strength and stability from Bryce Wade, Logan Kendrick, Kaden Graupman, Gabe Rowe and Parker Conover.
“Those guys are all going to be up front getting the blocking done,” Carney said.
Though only a sophomore, Carney believes Minks is ready to take command of the offense as he grows into varsity football.
“Spencer has been pushing himself all summer,” Carney said. “We’ve got some other guys who can fill in if needed, but right now it’s Spencer. He’s improved a lot throwing the ball. He had a good summer of 7-on-7 and at our camp in June. One thing he brings is athleticism — he can run and do a lot of things. He’s about 6-1, 185 or 190, and he’s getting stronger.”
Carney also expects the defense to take a step forward.
“Our kids take a lot of pride in defense,” he said. “I’ve had kids in the past who were like, ‘Oh, they’re going to score.’ But these kids do not like it when the other team scores. I’m encouraged.”
Matching last year’s success with a young roster will be a challenge, Carney admits.
“I had an old coach tell me once, the goal’s always .500. If you can go 5-5, that’s great. If you can win a few extra, that’s even better,” he said. “I think we can achieve that, and maybe a little more. These kids have matured a lot and really surprised me this summer.”
Paris opens the season on the road at Northwest Hughesville, then travels to Greenfield on Sept. 4. The Coyotes won’t play at home until Sept. 11, when Lincoln comes to town.
