The Lift for Life Hawks football program has come full circle in making history for its school.
At this time last year, the Hawks were leaving the field at Seneca High in southwest Missouri after a 31-0 loss in the Class 3 state semifinals. Despite the loss, it was a benchmark moment, as it was the first time the Hawks had ever advanced that far in the state playoffs.
Now, fast forward to this season and the Hawks are back in the state playoffs with another chance to take on the powerhouse program from Seneca. This time, it will be for the Class 3 state championship.
Lift for Life (10-4) will participate in the Show-Me Bowl for the first time ever on Friday at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. Seneca enters with a 12-1 record after finishing as the Class 3 state runner-up last season. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m.
The Hawks clinched their spot in the championship game with a 48-28 victory over St. Michael the Archangel last Saturday at Lee’s Summit North in the Kansas City area.
The architect of Lift for Life’s recent success is second-year coach Tony Woolfolk. After last year’s run to the semifinals, Woolfolk set the goals very high before the season started: take the next step to play for a state championship, and ultimately win it.
Woolfolk prepared his team for the postseason by playing a challenging schedule. The Hawks traveled across the state and faced several Class 5 and Class 6 schools. Lift for Life opened the season with a big victory over Class 5 MICDS.
Their games against larger schools resulted in losses to Class 6 Helias, Class 6 SLUH, Class 5 Cape Girardeau Central and Tennessee power Baylor High. The aggressive scheduling paid off as the Hawks learned how to deal with adversity while playing tough competition. They had to draw on those lessons in every playoff game on their way to the state finals.
In their district semifinal game against Ste. Genevieve, the Hawks trailed 21-0 early before rallying for a 54-41 win. In the district finals, the Hawks had to travel back to Ste. Genevieve to take on undefeated Valle Catholic and came away with a 48-31 victory in another high-scoring game.
The Hawks’ game against Dexter in the state quarterfinals was a defensive struggle. Lift for Life’s potent offense was held scoreless for more than three quarters by an excellent Dexter defense. Lift for Life finally scored with five minutes left to take an 8-6 lead. Quarterback Phoenix Isaiah hit Tony Woolfolk Jr. for the game-tying score, then found Ekelian Henderson in the end zone for the two-point conversion.
Dexter quickly moved back downfield and put itself in position for a potential game-winning field goal. On the final play of the game, junior Aidan Barber blocked the attempt to preserve the victory.
In the semifinals, Lift for Life again had to travel across the state to face St. Michael the Archangel. As they have all postseason, the Hawks handled the road challenge and dispatched the Guardians in impressive fashion.
Isaiah threw touchdown passes to Henderson of 47 and 58 yards. Running backs Jay’Veon Scott and Steven Jackson each scored two rushing touchdowns. The most explosive play came from defensive back Doran Johnson, who closed the first half with a 91-yard interception return to give the Hawks a 20-0 lead.
Lift for Life is now the only remaining team from St. Louis still alive in the state playoffs. Pattonville was defeated by Nixa in the Class 6 semifinals, while Kirkwood and Cardinal Ritter were eliminated in Class 5 by Platte County and Carthage, respectively. Hannibal defeated St. Mary’s in the Class 4 semifinals. St. Pius X from Jefferson County will play for the Class 2 state championship.
The Hawks are looking to become only the second athletic program at Lift for Life to win a state championship. The girls basketball team has won three state titles, in 2021, 2024 and 2025. The boys basketball team made a Final Four run in Class 3 in 2021, and the boys track and field team finished third at the Class 3 state meet last season.