KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their final Coaches of the Week for the 2025 season.
Blue Springs High School Head Coach Jed Paulsen (Missouri) and Mill Valley High School Head Coach Joel Applebee (Kansas) are the Chiefs final selections for their teams' performances in the 10th week of the high school football season. This weekly honor aims to recognize Kansas City-area head coaches for their success on the field and leadership off the field.
As part of their recognition, both coaches will receive a $500 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation, a Chiefs bucket hat, a certificate of recognition, and a custom game ball. Both coaches also qualify for the Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award, which is selected at the end of the high school regular season by a panel from the Missouri and Kansas Boards of the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association.
The Blue Springs Wildcats defeated their rival, the Blue Springs South Jaguars, 29-10 at home on Nov. 7. A dominant rushing attack including 217 yards on 34 carries with three touchdowns helped redeem the Wildcats' last game against the Jaguars where the team lost 35-7 on Oct. 17. Blue Springs will take on the 10-0 Helias Crusaders in the MSHSAA Class 6 District 6 Championship on Friday night at home.
"This is a team award," Paulsen said. "Our players and staff have worked tremendously hard to put us in this position. I am proud of the Wildcats, but we have unfinished business."
Paulsen was named head coach of the Blue Springs Jaguars Wildcats on Feb. 14, 2022, after coaching the team's offensive line since 2015. He's led his team to the Class 6 District 6 semifinals in the past three seasons. Previously, he served as Truman State University's offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coordinator. Paulsen was a three-year starter and four-year letterwinner at NC State where he played center. As a senior, he was named team captain and was a Remington Trophy Award watchlist nominee.
The Mill Valley Jaguars defeated the defending Kansas Class 5A state champion St. Thomas Aquinas Saints 28-27 on Nov. 7. The back-and-forth matchup came down to a successful stop by the Jaguars on a two-point conversion from the Saints in the final minute of the game. Mill Valley rushed for 194 yards on 31 carries with three touchdowns. The Jaguars will play the St. James Academy Thunder on Nov. 14 on the road.
"This honor is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our players and managers in our program," Applebee said. "It also reflects the work ethic and efforts of our coaching staff, athletic trainers and administration at Mill Valley High School. Thank you to the Kansas City Chiefs and NFL for recognizing that commitment."
Applebee is in his 16th season at the helm for Mill Valley and has posted a 142-42 record. Under his leadership, the Jaguars won seven Class 5A state championships, including back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016 and five-consecutive titles from 2019-23. Previously, he had stops as a defensive coordinator at Derby High School (2006-10), Russell High School (2004-06), and Junction City High School (2000-04).
Now in its 29th year, The High School Coach of the Week program is a joint initiative between the Kansas City Chiefs and the National Football League.
In addition to highlighting head coaches for their team's performance, this award honors individuals who make a difference in the lives of high school student-athletes by preparing them for life beyond football.
The Kansas City Chiefs partner with PrepsKC to select Coaches of the Week from Missouri and Kansas each week. For the past 16 years, PrepsKC has been Kansas City's only complete multimedia outlet covering high school offering a dynamic website, weekly magazine and comprehensive weekly radio show. More information about PrepsKC, including scores, schedules and coverage can be found at www.prepskc.com.
