The Kansas City Chiefs have announced Coach of the Week honors for the third week of the season. The awards go to Staley's Phil Lite and Lawrence Free State's Bob Lisher.
The 2017 High School Coach of the Week fueled by Gatorade program is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis. The Chiefs Coach of the Week award is intended to honor individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
Staley defeated Fort Osage 22-15 in a battle of undefeated teams. The win moves the Falcons to 5-0 on the season. Staley is currently ranked No. 2 in Missouri Class 5.
"It is a great honor to be recognized by the Kansas City Chiefs organization as Coach of the Week," Lite said. "This is much more a team accomplishment than an individual honor. I am blessed to be surrounded by outstanding players and coaches within the Staley Football Program who have dedicated countless hours of hard work and sacrifice. Thank you to Staley Nation, the Kansas City Chiefs and PrepsKC."
Free State defeated Park Hill 21-16 in one of the biggest games of the season. Park Hill came in at 4-0 and ranked No. 1 in Missouri Class 6 while Free State was 2-0 and ranked No. 2 in Kansas Class A.
"This award is special. Our players, coaches, administrators and parents have a hand in winning this award," Lisher said. "This is an award that we are very proud of… We would like to thank the Kansas City Chiefs for this award and appreciate all they do for high school football."
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation and each school will receive a Gatorade Sideline Kit, including coolers, bottles and Gatorade products. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Lite is now qualified for the Missouri Coach of the Year Award, while Lisher is now qualified for the Eric Driskell Kansas Coach of the Year Award, both of which will be voted on later this fall. Prior to the 2017 season, the Kansas City Chiefs announced that the Kansas High School Coach of the Year Award would be renamed in memory of Eric Driskell, the former head coach at Blue Valley High School. Driskell was a three-time award recipient during his seven years with the football program and spent 14 years as the head coach of the boys' track and field teams. Driskell tragically passed away in mid-February.
