2026 HS Football Preview: East Newton Patriots

GRANBY, MO. — The East Newton Patriots enter year one of the Jacob LaSalle era in 2026, looking to turn things around following a 2-9 overall campaign in 2025. LaSalle takes over as head coach after most recently serving as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach at Lamar High School, and he said he aims to instill a no plays off type of culture within the East Newton program. "You look at those successful programs, they got their kids there pretty much day in and day out, and these guys did a great job of buying into everything that we were preaching," LaSalle said. "I've got a great coaching staff to hold them accountable. And it's they're working hard and doing a good job." East Newton boasts 13 seniors on a roster than returns a majority of its starting players from a year ago alongside a group of newcomers. One of those seniors, Carson Rinehart, was recently named the starting quarterback by LaSalle. "We just want to stack days and just really work together." Rinehart said. LaSalle's father, Jaime, joins his son on the Patriots coaching staff as the defensive coordinator. The eldest LaSalle spent one season as head coach at East Newton in 2016, leading the Patriots to a 3-win season, one of only three since 2008. East Newton opens the year with arguably their toughest opponent of the season, on the road against the defending Class 3 state champions, Seneca. "We got a tough, tough week one," Rinehart said. "The state champs last year. We just want to really put it all together, work together and just play hard and have fun." Kickoff between the Patriots and Indians is set for Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.