Press Pass Sports talked with West Plains head coach Jeff Lofton during fall workouts. Lofton took over for Adam Cummings in the spring after Cummings led the program to four successful years to open the school. Lofton spent nine years as the head football coach at Idalou before becoming the assistant and now head coach at West Plains. Lofton takes over a West Plains team that advanced to the UIL Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals, but only returns four total starters.

2025 resume

Head coach: Jeff Lofton, first season at West Plains. 10th year overall, 73-33.
2025 Record: 12-2 overall, 5-0 in District 3-4A Division I. Class 4A Division I state quarterfinalists.

Returning starters

Offense: 2
Defense: 2
Season opener: 7 p.m. at Wall, Friday, Aug. 28, at Hawks Stadium.

Football players in navy uniforms sprinting and leaping over a barrier on a practice field under a clear sky, with bleachers and a building in the background. — West Plains running back Slade Russell piled up 2,000 yards rushing last season with 24 touchdowns. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Slade Russell, 6-foot-1, 195-pounds, RB, Sr.

With many faces graduated, the dynamic Russell returns to lead the West Plains offense. Russell was the power with his explosiveness and strength, as he could break one to the endzone at any given moment. Russell averaged an astonishing 10 yards a carry while rushing to 2,000 yards rushing on the year and 24 touchdowns in earning first team District 2-4A Division I honors in helping to lead the Wolves to their second straight unbeaten district championship.

Cash Lofton, 5-foot-11, 200-pounds, FB-LB, Sr.

The son of head coach Jeff Lofton is a throwback type linebacker that has a distinct nose for the football at all times. One of the few starters back on a defense that will look towards leadership, Lofton provides it. Last season, the hard-nosed Lofton led the team in tackles with 143 and was voted as an All-State selection by the Padilla Poll.

Kade Schneider, 6-foot-5, 230-pounds, TE, Sr.

With his size and strength, Schneider became an immediate asset in the offensive game-plan for offensive coordinator Jeff Lyles last season. With so many top targets now graduated, expectations are even higher for the now senior. Coming into his own as a junior, Schneider pulled down 23 catches for 341 yards with three touchdowns.