S-C Trio to Play Football at Westminster College

Three Smith-Cotton High seniors have accepted academic scholarships to play football at Westminster College in Fulton.

Quarterback Jaden Kendrick, running back Gauge Young and defensive end Zach Gwaltney all will join the Bluebirds in the fall. In their senior year, the trio help lead Smith-Cotton to a 9-1 record and the West Central Conference championship.

Kendrick is a three-time letter winner and two-year starter at quarteback for the Tigers. He was a team captain both his junior and senior seasons. For his career, he racked up 1,782 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns and a .628 completion rate. He also carried the ball 179 times for 644 yards and five rushing TDs. S-C Football Head Coach said: “Jaden did an excellent job in leading our offense the last two years. He has a great work ethic that shows in the weight room, practice field, and game field. Jaden is always willing to put in the extra work required to make himself successful. I am excited to see how he uses that work ethic to move up the depth chart at the next level."

Young was the workhorse of the Tigers backfield this past season, earning 2017 first team All-WCC and All-District honors. He also was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year and received the Ralph “Stub” Dow Award as the outstanding back. A three-time letter winner, he averaged 100 yards per game on the ground for his career, totaling 2,096 rushing yards and 28 rushing TDs. He also caught 39 passes for 428 yards and two TDs. McFail said: “Gauge is a tough runner who is hard to bring down. He has a perfect combination of strength and speed. I look forward to Gauge learning and growing his game at the collegiate level."

Gwaltney is a three-time letter winner and two-time All-WCC selection on the defensive line. He also was an All-District pick in 2016. For his career he had 24 solo tackles and 47 assisted tackles, as well as four sacks. McFail said: “Zach anchored down the defensive end spot on our defense for two years. He is a big-bodied kid who plays really tough in the trenches. With his frame, he has a lot of potential to excel in the collegiate game."

KENDRICKSIGNINGGROUP: Smith-Cotton High School senior Jaden Kendrick has accepted a scholarship to play football at Westminster College in Fulton. Seated with him is his grandmother, Delores Norton; mother, Krystal Norton; and grandfather, Robert Norton. Standing, from left, are Smith-Cotton Football Head Coach Charlie McFail, family friend Samuel Walker, and S-C High Principal Wade Norton.

YOUNGSIGNINGGROUP: Smith-Cotton High School senior Gauge Young has accepted a scholarship to play football at Westminster College in Fulton. Seated with him is his mother, Holly Young; and step-father Chad Morgan. Standing, from left, are Smith-Cotton Football Head Coach Charlie McFail, brother Cain Young, and S-C High Principal Wade Norton.

GWALTNEYSIGNINGGROUP: Smith-Cotton High School senior Zach Gwaltney has accepted a scholarship to play football at Westminster College in Fulton. Seated with him is family friend Rance Lane and mother, Shani Cooper-Gwaltney. Standing, from left, are Smith-Cotton Football Head Coach Charlie McFail, half-brother Cooper Rea, and S-C High Principal Wade Norton.

FBWESTMINSTERSIGNS: Smith-Cotton Football Head Coach Charlie McFail presents three of his seniors, from left, Jaden Kendrick, Gauge Young and Zach Gwaltney, who all are moving on to play football for Westminster College in Fulton, Mo.