It’s difficult to describe Kirkwood’s 2026 outlook without falling into the stereotypical praise you often hear with good, maybe even great, football programs.
They don’t rebuild, they reload, is just one of the boring sentences I wrote and deleted several times over as I sat down to write this.
So, instead of beating my head against the wall trying to describe what we already know like a poetic hack, I’ll just put it plainly…
Once again, Kirkwood is going to be a very tough, talented, and downright formidable football team. They’ve got new pieces and a new engine, but it’s the same hot rod that’s been one of the best contenders in Class 5 and Class 6.
The goal of winning a state title is within their grasp. But it’s a long season, and they know that better than most.
HORSEPOWER OVERLOAD
For as long as I’ve watched Kirkwood up close (2021), I’ve known them to be a pass-leaning offense, complemented by a consistent running game.
This season could see a tip in that scale as Kirkwood’s running back room is overflowing with guys capable of carrying the rock on their own. But Kirkwood will have the committee approach.
“All those guys are going to get touches,” head coach Jeremy Maclin said. “If we didn’t do that we’d be doing those guys a disservice.”
The running back room will consist of a variety of runners, including Chase Griffin and Derrion Brown, the younger brothers of Colin Griffin and Deion Brown (both of whom were fantastic rushers). DeMarcus Tatum, a bruising back, returns to the lineup. But a new face will be featured in this group, too: Benji Rice.
Rice is a transfer from Indiana, where he wore a lot of different hats on offense and defense.
Maclin said Rice plans to play safety in college, which will be a priority position.
“We want to make sure that we spotlight him at that position, and get him prepared to play safety in college,” Maclin said. “But he’s way too dynamic to not put the ball in his hands. He’s definitely going to touch the ball in the backfield.”
THE NEW OFFENSE
For the second time in three seasons, Kirkwood will have a new face under center: Nicholas Tucci.
Based on what I saw during the 2025 Turkey Day game and his posted clips on Hudl, he seems like a mix between Kirkwood’s previous two quarterbacks: Owen Nesslage, a pocket passer, and Cooper Owens, a dual-threat. Tucci is tall and has a good pocket presence like Nesslage, can make plays with his legs like Owens, and he can launch it downfield like both of his predecessors.
Joining Tucci and the stable of running backs will be plenty of familiar faces, like receivers Bodie Mansfield and Travis Shores Jr., who have plenty of experience in Kirkwood’s offense.
Shores Jr. led the team in receiving yards last year and racked up nine receiving touchdowns.
Add to that Max Owens, the younger brother of Cooper Owens, and George Kidd, a 6-2 sophomore.
On paper, Kirkwood’s offense operates like a spread, but the Pioneers’ coaching staff knows how to adapt their system to the personnel.
“Obviously, as coaches we need to put our guys in a position to be successful,” Maclin said. “Whether that’s utilizing the strengths of the running back room or guys on the edge who can really make plays.”
THE DEFENSE
Maclin noted that this year’s roster had the biggest and most talented group of offensive and defensive linemen, which will definitely play a huge factor.
Kirkwood plays a lot of programs who carry a lot of size in the trenches. By the end of the previous sentence, you already knew I was talking about Eureka. But let’s not forget the likes of Lafayette, Rockwood Summit, Lindbergh, and Fox. Ritenour won’t be a slouch, either.
Leading those fights in the trenches will be guys like D’Anton Berry, who’s got the size (6’4”, 315 pounds) and talent to play both sides of the football. Joining him will be guys like Gabe Turner, a senior defensive anchor who Maclin called a “workaholic.”
Alongside Rice in the defensive backfield will be playmaker Jorden Henry, who will return as a defensive back.
The Pioneers graduated their top defensive playmakers and will rely on the next men up to step in and meet the high expectations set before them.
Kirkwood begins the season with a road game for the second straight year, this time against Ritenour, who will no doubt test the Kirkwood defense through the air. The Huskies return starting quarterback Anthony Odom, who is one of the most underrated pass-throwers in the region.
Kirkwood kicks off at Ritenour on August 28th at 7PM. This piece is part of Tim’s 2026 Watch List, a project previewing St. Louis High School Football. Read the full preview here.
