KANSAS CITY, Mo. — On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Kansas City Chiefs announced their Week 6 Kansas High School Flag Football Coach of the Week recipient for the 2026 season.
Baldwin High School Head Coach Kayson Matthews has been selected as the Week 6 honoree. This weekly recognition highlights exceptional Kansas City-area head coaches who excel in team performance and student-athlete development.
As part of his recognition, Matthews will receive a $1,000 grant from the Hunt Family Foundation, a Chiefs bucket hat, a certificate of recognition, and a custom game ball.
Under the leadership of Head Coach Kayson Matthews, Baldwin has emerged as one of Kansas' top Girls Flag Football teams this season. Posting a 10-2 record and earning a No. 6 state ranking, the Bulldogs have outscored opponents 366-77 this season, averaging more than 30 points per game while allowing just 6.4 points per contest. Baldwin's defense has recorded six shutouts, helping the team compile an undefeated 6-0 record at home and earn a berth in the 2026 KSHSAA State Championship tournament.
On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Bulldogs hosted the regional tournament, defeating the Wellsville Eagles, 33-6, and shutting out the Lawrence Chesty Lions, 13-0, to advance in the state playoff bracket. Matthews credited the Baldwin community for their support throughout the Bulldogs inaugural season, and being able to punch their ticket to the state quarterfinals with the regional championship victory.
"We got to host regionals as a No. 2 seed, so that was awesome to bring that experience home to Baldwin," Matthews said. "The community really got behind our team and supported us throughout the season."
Although the Bulldogs run concluded with a hard-fought 20-6 loss to the St. Thomas Aquinas Saints in the state quarterfinals on Tuesday, Oct. 13, Matthews and his Bulldogs team cemented their legacy in Kansas sports history as Girls Flag Football Elite Eight finishers.
"This award means a lot, not just to me, but to our entire team and coaching staff," Matthews said. "Our players have worked incredibly hard all season and have used every challenge as motivation. They stayed focused, competed at a high level and represented Baldwin with pride."
In addition to coaching Baldwin's Girls Flag Football team, Matthews serves as Senior Sports Director for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City and founded the KC Shockers Youth Flag Football program.
A Wichita State University graduate and former NCAA Division I student-athlete in both track and field and cross country, Matthews has helped create pathways for athletes pursuing collegiate Flag Football opportunities and has been an instrumental advocate for the growth of Girls Flag Football in Kansas City. Under his leadership, KC Shockers teams have qualified for NFL FLAG National Championships.
Through his leadership at Baldwin High School, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and KC Shockers Flag Football, Matthews continues to help shape the future of Girls Flag Football across the Kansas City region and beyond, creating opportunities for the next generation of student-athletes.
Now in its 30th 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 High School Flag Football Coach of the Week feature is in its first year in Kansas following KSHSAA sanctioning.
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.
Uncrustables, the Official PB&J of the Kansas City Chiefs, is the presenting partner of the Chiefs Coach of the Week Program.
