SNYDER CYCLONES
Coach: KEVIN KOPP
1-9
Snyder expects to lean on strong senior leadership in 2026 while a talented but inexperienced sophomore and freshman class grows up quickly at the varsity level. Fifth-year head coach Kevin Kopp says those young players will grow up fast and admits it will be a challenge, but he believes they will be up to it as the Cyclones move into B-II with a new set of district opponents. Kopp also points to full, healthy offseasons for key seniors as critical to Snyder’s outlook this fall after a 1-9 season in 2025.
Offensively, Snyder has been a group that lines up in many different formations and will continue to work toward being a unit that can move the ball effectively in both tight and spread sets. Senior fullback Kealum Vester (5-9, 222) is one of the players Kopp highlights as having a big summer, and he will be asked to power the ground game and provide leadership in the huddle. Senior center Makhale Adams (6-1, 280) anchors the offensive line and is another tone-setter up front, while senior tight end Dreven Myers (5-10, 205) and senior running back Shawn Young (5-7, 175) round out a veteran core of skill players who can create matchup problems in different formations. Sophomore quarterback John Stipkovich (6-0, 170) and sophomore running back Kade Bigger (5-7, 135) represent the youth Snyder will be counting on in important roles as the Cyclones work to build a more balanced, versatile attack.
Defensively, Snyder will base out of a 3-2 front and Kopp says the focus is on becoming aggressive and working to turn the ball back over to the offense. Vester slides to linebacker and will be a key piece in the middle, Adams can play both nose guard and defensive end and gives the Cyclones size on the interior, and Myers also lines up at linebacker, forming a three-senior core that will be asked to set the tone physically. With Vester and Adams having big summers, veterans like Myers and Young working back from major injuries, and a wave of underclassmen stepping into bigger roles, Snyder believes its mix of toughness, versatility and new district opportunity can help the Cyclones improve significantly on last year’s mark.
8-28 – at Maysville
9-4 – at Tipton
9-18 – vs. Alex
9-25 – vs. Central Marlow
10-2 – vs. Cordell
10-9 – at Kremlin-Hillsdale
10-16 – vs. Oklahoma Bible Academy
10-23 – at Mountain View-Gotebo
10-30 – vs. Okeene
11-6 – at Canton
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