Kansas Pregame 8-Man Top 8: Zakary Kirkpatrick

Kansas Pregame polled 8-Man coaches earlier this month who voted for the top four seniors they coached against this season. Kansas Pregame staffers then used those votes to develop a Top 8 list of seniors for each division. Check out another Top 8 capsule below, and find the complete list of Top 8 selections, and the honorable mention list, here for 8-Man I and here for 8-Man II.

Since earning a starting spot on varsity during his sophomore year, St. Paul’s Zakary Kirkpatrick has been a big asset for his team, both in terms of his impact and his physical size.

At the time, the sophomore stood around 6-3, 250 pounds, already dwarfing a majority of his opponents on both the offensive and defensive lines.

Kirkpatrick helped his team to a 6-4 record in that 2021 season as the Indians managed to win their first round playoff contest over Hartford, 40-34, before taking a second round playoff exit against Lebo.

In Kirkpatrick’s junior season, St. Paul seemed to have all the pieces in place with seven upperclassmen returning from the season prior.

Unfortunately, a tough schedule made it a challenge for the Indians to gain traction. Losses to Oswego, Lebo, Colony-Crest, Marmaton Valley, and eventually Canton-Galva in the first round of the playoffs – with the Oswego and Marmaton Valley losses by eight points each – left St. Paul at 4-5 on the season.

All five losses came against quality opponents, with only Marmaton Valley slightly below .500 with losses to Oswego, Lebo, and Colony-Crest.

Kirkpatrick received major recognition for his role on the team, earning first team All-League on the defensive line, unanimous first team All-League on the offensive line, first team All-District on the defensive line, and second team All-District on the offensive line, along with All-State honorable mention by multiple outlets, and was earned Sports in Kansas’ All-State Non-Senior honorable mention.

The 2022 season was the ninth and last at the helm for head coach Keith Wiatrik, and also saw the graduation of all the Indians’ skill position players.

First year head coach Dane Cummings was chosen for the job and had some major holes to fill, but the good news for him was the three returning offensive linemen – seniors Matthew Lesitkow (5-10, 195 pounds) and Cooper Newberry (5-10, 220 pounds), and the monstrous Kirkpatrick, who now stood at 6-4, 300 pounds.

Cummings was immediately impressed with his senior 300-pounder.

“Zak took it on himself to not miss much of summer workouts and attend camps on his own to develop his football skills,” Cummings said. “He was also a big leader for us in the locker room. Always picking up the younger guys and helping in any way possible.”

The season started with a 40-30 loss to a significantly improved Blue Valley-Randolph team, but following that game the Indians won five of their next six, including a 40-22 win over Oswego and a 26-20 overtime win over Colony-Crest to avenge tough losses of 2022.

Along with his All-State level of play, Cummings continued to be impressed with Kirkpatrick’s consistent impact.

“Zak was a key part to our success this past season,” Cummings said. “As a kid that has played a lot of snaps of football he was a tremendous leader on and off the field.”

Going into the final two games of the 2023 campaign, St. Paul’s record stood at 5-2, but back-to-back losses against Marmaton Valley and then Hutchinson-Central Christian in the first round of the playoffs left them at 5-4 on the year. The Indians were able to put up 28 and 24 points in those final two contests, but couldn’t find much defense, allowing 76 and 48 points in both games.

His senior year saw Kirkpatrick again decorated in accolades, earning his Top 8 nod, along with first team All-State honors on both offense and defense from multiple outlets, unanimous first team All-League honors at both positions, first team All-District at both, as well as being voted a Top 100 Senior in 8-Man as well as an 8-Man II Player of the Year finalist by Sports in Kansas, and All-District Defensive MVP.

Outside of football, Kirkpatrick is also a talented basketball player, earning All-League and All-State honorable mention as a junior. The senior’s future is most likely on the gridiron, however.

Still mulling over offers from Butler, Coffeyville, and Dodge City Community Colleges, as well as Bethany College in the KCAC, Kirkpatrick has confirmed his plans to continue his football career and will compete in college football’s typically Saturday-based schedule, but is certain to be remembered at St. Paul High for his impact on the night before.

“Zak was an influential leader for our football team this past fall,” Cummings said. “His presence was always felt when it came to Friday nights.”