Fort Scott enters the 2026 football season with experience, playmakers and plenty of opportunity across the roster.

As the Tigers prepare to get back under the Friday night lights, here are five players who could play important roles in shaping the season.

Senior Dryden Marlow
Marlow enters his senior season as one of the key names to watch in the Fort Scott offense. After gaining valuable experience at quarterback last season, another year in the system gives him an opportunity to take another step as a leader and playmaker for the Tigers.

Senior Shai Kennedy
Kennedy brings experience to the Fort Scott secondary and has already shown an ability to make plays in big moments. His leadership and presence on the back end of the defense could be especially important as the Tigers look to establish themselves defensively early in the season.

Junior Creed Clayton
Clayton is the lone junior on this list, but he certainly isn’t short on experience. After emerging as a major weapon in the Fort Scott backfield, Clayton enters 2026 as one of the Tigers’ most intriguing offensive players and a name opposing defenses will have to account for.

Senior Brodie Stoughton
The guys up front don’t always get the headlines, but good football teams are built in the trenches. Stoughton gives Fort Scott senior experience along the offensive line and could be an important piece of an offense looking to establish itself physically.

Senior Paxten Allen
Allen gives the Tigers another experienced option in the backfield and has shown the ability to create explosive plays. With both Allen and Clayton available, Fort Scott has the potential to feature multiple dangerous options in the running game.

Five players won’t define an entire football team, but experienced leaders and proven playmakers can go a long way toward setting the tone.

With the 2026 season arriving, these are five Tigers worth keeping an eye on.

The lights are coming on. The red helmets are back. And Tiger football is ready to go.