KQ2 Pigskin Preview: Rock Port looking to make another run at the state championship game

ROCK PORT, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Rock Port Blue Jays are coming off a 13-1 season, where they finished second in Class 1 after losing to Worth County with Northeast Nodaway, 56-46, in the championship game.

The Blue Jays are now looking to get back to that title game in the 2026 season.

Rock Port Head Coach Dalton Jones is proud of the year his team had in 2025, but is leaving that in the past and all eyes are on this upcoming season.

"It was just getting back to work," said Jones. "We came up short last year and it was a great year, but it has to make you hungry because we were so close. That's been our rallying cry, to just stay hungry and I think we have done that this summer."

Brock Holmes was the leading rusher for the Blue Jays in 2025. Now he's entering his senior season and is using last year's loss to drive himself to be better this year.

"Definitely using it for motivation and fueling us to work really hard every day," said Holmes. "I think it's working out."

The Blue Jays want to move on from that championship game, but that can be hard to do when their first game of the season is a title game rematch. Senior Gabe Gebhards has been looking forward to this matchup all offseason.

"We've all got it circled on our calendars," said Gebhards. "It's at home and we're gonna give them a run for their money."

Senior Jack Meyerkorth reiterated that same mentality, but is also focused on his team.

"We definitely have it circled on our calendar, but we're just trying to get better every day," said Meyerkorth. "Once that game rolls around, we'll be ready."

The championship rematch will be at Rock Port on Friday, Aug. 28, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.