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The Kansas City Chiefs have announced their Coach of the Week honors for the first time this season. The awards go to Olathe West (Kansas) coach TJ O’Neill and Lafayette County (Missouri) coach Steve Cook.

As a result of this honor, both schools will receive a $500 player health and safety grant from the Hunt Family Foundation. Additionally, both coaches will be presented congratulatory footballs autographed by Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid and a certificate recognizing their selection. Both coaches are now qualified for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which will be voted on later this fall. The Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award is selected by a panel comprised of the Missouri and Kansas Boards from the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.

Olathe West earned its first-ever win over Olathe North with a 20-6 victory Friday night. The win moves the Owls to 3-1 on the season and gives them a key head-to-head victory over the Eagles.

Owls coach TJ O’Neill thanked the Chiefs for the honor for him and his program.

“I want to thank the Kansas City Chiefs for their support of high school football,” O’Neill said. “This is tremendous honor. Our coaches and players work extremely hard to be successful. It is great to have the opportunity to recognize them for all they do. Go Chiefs!”

Lafayette County won its fourth straight game with an impressive 35-26 win over previously unbeaten Richmond. It’s the second straight week the Huskers have taken down a state ranked team after beating Summit Christian the week before.

“I tell the boys frequently that as their coaches we are working to try to put them in situations to best find success, plans don’t always work as expected, however Friday night the team was extremely physical and worked the plan exceptionally well,” Cook said.

“This is a team award. Hats off to the young men working hard every day and to the rest of our coaching staff on this recognition of a nice win this past Friday night. Thank you to the Kansas City Chiefs and all of those that make this recognition possible for coaches all across the metro area on a weekly basis.”

In its 25th season, the 2021 High School Coach of the Week is a joint initiative of the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League. This program is designed to recognize and reward Kansas City area high school coaches for superior performance on a weekly basis while honoring individuals who are shaping today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders.