CHOUTEAU-MAZIE WILDCATS
Coach: JOSEPH PHELAN
1-9
Chouteau-Mazie enters 2026 looking for a breakthrough after a 1-9 season but does so with a young roster that returns a lot of talent in the trenches and has its skill positions largely solidified. Head coach Joseph Phelan, now in his second year with the Wildcats, believes that added experience up front and continuity on the perimeter can help his team take a noticeable step forward in a competitive district slate. With a full offseason in his system, Phelan expects Chouteau-Mazie to be more consistent and better equipped to finish games in the fourth quarter.
Offensively, the Wildcats will line up in a spread attack designed to get their athletes in space and stress defenses horizontally and vertically. With four offensive starters returning and a stronger, more experienced line, Chouteau-Mazie aims to be more efficient on early downs and keep the tempo in its favor. Top 100 nominee Kayden Atkins headlines the skill group as a talented wide receiver/defensive back with the speed to match up with any athlete on the schedule, giving the Wildcats a true game-breaker on the perimeter.
Defensively, Chouteau-Mazie brings back three starters and will again lean on its athleticism in the secondary and physicality in the box as it develops younger contributors. Atkins is expected to anchor the back end at defensive back, where his speed and coverage ability help neutralize opposing top targets. Sophomore underclassman to watch Nicholi Gudoshnikov is an athletic prospect with the frame and body type to potentially play at the next level, and he will be counted on to contribute more in 2026 as he gains experience. Senior Hagan McHenry is the program’s Character Counts selection, a talented, hardworking leader who “does everything right” and sets the standard for younger players through his daily habits. With emerging line play, a true perimeter threat in Atkins and a core that has grown together, Chouteau-Mazie believes it is positioned to move up the standings this fall.
9-4 – vs. Caney Valley
9-11 – vs. Dewey
9-18 – at Porter
9-25 – vs. Chelsea
10-2 – vs. KIPP
10-9 – vs. Keys
10-15 – at Kansas
10-23 – vs. Wyandotte
10-30 – at Salina
11-6 – at Adair
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