SPRINGFIELD — High school football begins this week in Missouri. The chase for state championships, conference titles, and rivalry wins is imminent. Big plays from key players will be the storyline week in and week out, especially in the Springfield area.
Below are 10 players nominated for the Springfield News-Leader's preseason football player of the year. Voting for the award closes at noon on Friday.
Trenton Allen, Clever
The junior was a first-team all-conference selection last season. As a sophomore, the wide receiver caught 36 passes for 741 yards to lead the Clever roster. Allen will also feature as a defensive back for a Bluejays team that finished 9-3 in 2025.
Sam Boster, Springfield Catholic
The senior running back was a first-team all-conference pick in 2025. He rushed for 789 yards and
nine touchdowns on 77 carries. He also caught two touchdowns and returned two kickoffs to the house. Boster helped the Irish go 8-3 and will look to improve on that mark this fall.
Will Buckley, Kickapoo
First-year head coach Bill Voorhis has tabbed Buckley as one of the team’s top players entering the new season. The 6-foot-3 receiver has earned Division II and NAIA offers in the offseason as he tries to help Kickapoo bounce back after last year’s 2-8 campaign.
Cordell Davis, Parkview
The senior wide receiver was an all-region pick in 2025. He caught 38 passes for 508 yards last year for the Vikings. Davis’ speed and agility will be a key force for a Parkview team looking to go above .500 for the first time since 2018.
Jett Easley, Ozark
Easley is one of the team’s top returning players this season. As a junior, he led the roster with 1,025 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He also caught 40 passes for 632 yards and three touchdowns. He was a first-team all-conference pick and will also play meaningful time in Ozark’s secondary this fall.
Keiran Govan, Republic
The Missouri commit is riding high after a strong 2025 season. The safety was a first-team all-state selection, securing four interceptions along with 57 tackles. Govan will have an expanded role on offense this year, too. He will not only catch a few passes but also play under center for the Republic’s run-first, option-style offense.
Gage Hale, Logan-Rogersville
The junior had a breakout campaign as an underclassman in 2025. He was a second-team all-state pick at the wide receiver position. He ended with 50 receptions for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns. His speed was on display in the spring, too. He won two state titles in the 200 and 400-meter dashes.
Trevor Heman, Glendale
Last year, the senior wide receiver was a first-team all-conference. He led Glendale with 74 catches and 1,220 yards, while scoring nine touchdowns. Heman has many Division I offers, including Missouri State, Southeast Missouri State, and Dartmouth.
Adam McKnight, Nixa
The Missouri State quarterback commit has led the Eagles to back-to-back state title games. McKnight threw for 1,819 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. He also scored 11 rushing touchdowns along with 695 yards on the ground. The senior was a first-team all-conference pick, too.
Dylan Washick, Monett
The third-year starting quarterback was fantastic in 2025. The 6-foot-4 senior threw for 4,433 yards and 44 touchdowns to lead the entire state. Washick has earned scholarship offers from many Division II and NAIA teams.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Vote for Springfield News-Leader's high school preseason football player of the year
