Benton Football Head Coach Mark Cole wins Chiefs’ Week 8 High School Coach of the Week honor

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- The Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 8 winners for the Missouri and Kansas High School Football Coaches of the Week honors, and the Missouri award goes to Benton High School Football Head Coach Mark Cole.

Cole's Cardinals defeated Chillicothe 31-20 in their regular-season finale. That finished the regular season 5-4, marking the program's best record and season since 2010 in Cole's second year on the southside.

The Chiefs also said the 35-0 shutout over the Excelsior Springs Tigers and a 49-28 win against the Cameron Dragons helped make Cole their pick this week. Benton is also in a stretch in which they have outscored opponents by an average of 26.0 points.

“It means a great deal to me personally,” Cole said. “Being recognized by a great organization that covers a variety of coaches is humbling to me. Our program has put a tremendous amount of work to improve, and for that to be seen, it makes the journey easier.”

Sixteen years ago, Benton finished 6-4; this week, Benton has a chance to achieve that record again.

The release also notes that Cole has coached for over 27 years, 20 as a head coach, with stops across Missouri in Gallatin for the Bulldogs, Savannah with the Savages, Maysville Wolverines, and Milan for the Wildcats. Cole has helped earn six district championships, six conference titles, 10 playoff appearances, and three semifinal appearances throughout his career so far.

This award is now in its 30th year; the High School Coach of the Week program is a joint initiative between the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. In addition to highlighting head coaches for their team’s performance, this award honors individuals who make a difference in the lives of high school student-athletes by preparing them for life beyond football.

As part of their recognition, both coaches will receive a $1,000 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation, a Chiefs bucket hat, a certificate of recognition, and a custom game ball. Both coaches also qualify for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which is selected at the end of the high school regular season by a panel from the Missouri and Kansas Boards of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.

Benton is now set to take on the Van Horn Falcons at home in district play Friday, October 30, at 7:00 pm.