The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their Coach of the Week honors for the fourth week of the season. The awards go to Lafayette County High School coach Steve Cook (Missouri) and Olathe West High School coach T.J. O'Neill (Kansas).
As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Both coaches are now qualified for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall. The Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award is selected by a panel comprised of the Missouri and Kansas Boards from the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
Lafayette County won its fourth-straight game with a 35-26 win over previously unbeaten Richmond High School. It's the second-straight week the Huskers have taken down a state ranked team after beating Summit Christian Academy the week prior.
"I tell the boys frequently that as their coaches, we are working to try to put them in situations to best find success, plans don't always work as expected, however Friday night the team was extremely physical and worked the plan exceptionally well," Cook said. "This is a team award. Hats off to the young men working hard every day and to the rest of our coaching staff on this recognition of a nice win this past Friday night. Thank you to the Kansas City Chiefs and all of those that make this recognition possible for coaches all across the metro area on a weekly basis."
Olathe West earned its first-ever win over Olathe North with a 20-6 victory Friday night. The win moves the Owls to 3-1 on the season and gives them a key head-to-head victory over the Eagles.
"I want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs for their support of high school football," O'Neill said. "This is tremendous honor. Our coaches and players work extremely hard to be successful. It is great to have the opportunity to recognize them for all they do. Go Chiefs."
In its 25th season, the 2021 High School Coach of the Week 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 while honoring individuals who are shaping today's youth and tomorrow's leaders.
The Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. PrepsKC is the only complete multimedia coverage of high school football in the Kansas City Metro. For the last 12 years it has combined a dynamic web site, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
