RIPLEY–Rico McDonald’s first season (2025) was about developing young players and asking them to handle significant varsity roles earlier than most.
Now, many of those same players return with a full season of experience behind them.
The Tigers enter 2026 after finishing 3-7 overall and 1-3 in Region 3-4A last season and earning a spot in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. McDonald begins his second season as head coach with a roster that remains young but now features several proven playmakers on both sides of the football.
Ripley has approximately 58 players on its current roster: four seniors, 18 juniors, 13 sophomores and 23 freshmen. With more than half the roster made up of freshmen and sophomores, the Tigers will again rely heavily on younger players.
The difference in year two of the McDonald regime is that those underclassmen are no longer inexperienced. And the second-year head coach said he was pleased to see that maturity taking hold this past off season.
“Going back through the winter, spring and summer the kids have really, really brought into every aspect of everything we’re doing,” said McDonald, who believes the off-season is the “most important” part of any program.
“We changed up our weight room program and you started to see the kids look different…And their attributes are changing.
“The most important part of the program is the off-season. And our kids did hit the off season pretty hard. Hopefully that will in time, transfer onto the field. That’s the expectation.”
Returning production gives Tigers a foundation
Sophomore Kyran McDonald emerged as one of Ripley’s most versatile players last season.
As a freshman, McDonald carried the ball 98 times for 519 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 64 percent of his passes for 299 yards and four touchdowns, giving the Tigers a player capable of contributing at quarterback, running back and safety.
Junior Cohen Wright also returns after producing on both sides of the ball. Wright caught 26 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns while breaking up 12 passes and intercepting two more from the secondary.
“He can make big plays on offense and defense..” added Coach McDonald.
Junior quarterback Trace James provides another experienced option after completing 52 percent of his passes for 685 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.
Together, the trio gives Ripley returning production at quarterback, running back, receiver and defensive back.
Three All-Division selections return
Ripley placed seven players on the 2025 Region 3-4A All-Division Team, with three returning this season.
Cole Rakestraw earned All-Division honors at wide receiver, McDonald was selected as an athlete and Wright was recognized at defensive back.
The other Ripley selections were offensive lineman Louis Edgeston, linebackers Aiden Rucker and Jordan Jackson, and kicker Victor Valdez.
Rakestraw, McDonald and Wright give the Tigers three returning players who have already proven themselves against region competition.
Multiple options at quarterback
Ripley has flexibility in the backfield with three players capable of taking snaps at quarterback.
McDonald, James and junior Skylar Barkley give the Tigers different options at the position. McDonald can also move into the backfield at running back, where sophomore Aking Richard is expected to see carries.
That versatility should allow Ripley to move McDonald around the formation and create different looks rather than limiting him to one role.
James gives the Tigers a quarterback with significant varsity passing experience, while Barkley adds another option from a deep junior class.
Coach McDonald said that success at quarterback– no matter who is under center–should lead to a successful season.
“If we can distribute the ball and get the ball in the places it needs to be and the people we need to get it to…”he said.
Wright, Rakestraw headline receiving group
Wright and Rakestraw give Ripley an experienced pair of targets on the outside.
Wright led the returning receiving group with 26 catches last season, while Rakestraw brings All-Division recognition and the ability to contribute on both sides of the football.
“He can be our red zone, big-catch guy. He can be a big plus for us this year. We’re gonna try to get him the ball as much as we can. That’s for sure,” Coach McDonald said.
Junior Nathan Boyd returns at offensive tackle and will be counted on to help anchor the offensive line.
For a team that relied heavily on young players last season, having experienced juniors throughout the offense could make a noticeable difference.
Experience returns throughout the defense
Several of Ripley’s offensive contributors will also play major roles defensively.
Sophomore Antwain Zinn and Rakestraw are expected to work along the defensive front, with Boyd providing size on the interior.
Junior Zarron Bowman, sophomore Bentley Foote and Richard give Ripley options at linebacker.
The secondary could be one of the Tigers’ biggest strengths.
Wright returns after his 12-pass-breakup, two-interception season, while McDonald gives Ripley another athletic option at safety.
After being forced to play so many young players a year ago, the Tigers now have several defenders who understand the speed and physical demands of varsity football.
Small senior class carries important role
Ripley enters the season with just four seniors, putting additional leadership responsibility on a small group of upperclassmen.
Two of those seniors, Hayden Hopper and Paxton Kennamore, will also play important roles on special teams.
Hopper is expected to handle long-snapping duties, while Kennamore will serve as the Tigers’ punter. Junior Andy Diaz is expected to handle kicking duties.
With 23 freshmen on the roster, Ripley’s seniors and juniors will be responsible for helping bring along another large group of young players.
But at the end of the day, Coach McDonald said the key to really building a program is simply “hard work.”
“It’s something that we preach all the time. What you put in is what you’re gonna get out of it. If you don’t put no money in the bank, you can’t get any out of it,” he said.
“That’s our focus…Just keep our heads down and just keep working. If you keep working, good things will happen.”
New additions to the coaching staff
McDonald also added two coaches to his staff entering the 2026 season.
Steve Ray comes to Ripley from McNairy Central in Tennessee and will work with the defensive line, giving the Tigers another veteran presence on the coaching staff.
Alex Cornelison will coach the wide receivers and also work with Ripley’s junior high program.
The additions give McDonald more experience at the varsity level while strengthening the connection between the junior high and high school programs.
Familiar opponents fill the schedule
Ripley’s 2026 schedule features plenty of familiar opponents.
The Tigers open at home against Mooreville on Aug. 28 before hosting Grenada on Sept. 4.
Ripley travels to Lewisburg on Sept. 11, then returns home for games against East Webster on Sept. 18 and Booneville on Sept. 25.
Region play begins at home against Clarksdale on Oct. 2.
From there, the Tigers face a difficult closing stretch with four consecutive road games: New Albany on Oct. 9, Byhalia on Oct. 15, Rosa Fort on Oct. 23 and Senatobia on Oct. 29.
The final three games against Byhalia, Rosa Fort and Senatobia are region contests, making Ripley’s ability to win on the road especially important late in the season.
2026 Ripley Football Schedule
– Aug. 28: Mooreville, home
– Sept. 4: Grenada, home
– Sept. 11: Lewisburg, away
– Sept. 18: East Webster, home
– Sept. 25: Booneville, home
– Oct. 2: Clarksdale, home
– Oct. 9: New Albany, away
– Oct. 15: Byhalia, away
– Oct. 23: Rosa Fort, away
– Oct. 29: Senatobia, away
Youth remains the biggest storyline
Ripley is still a young football team.
With just four seniors and 36 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, the Tigers will again ask younger players to contribute.
But this is a different kind of young team than the one McDonald inherited a year ago.
McDonald rushed for more than 500 yards as a freshman. Wright established himself as a productive receiver and one of the Tigers’ top defensive backs. James threw for nearly 700 yards and seven touchdowns. Rakestraw earned All-Division honors.
Those players have already experienced region games, close losses, road trips and a playoff appearance.
The biggest question for Ripley in 2026 is no longer whether its young players can handle varsity football.
It is how much better they can become with a year of experience behind them.
