The 2017 high school football season starts this Friday. To get ready, we sent Ethan Koch around the city to interview coaches and catch practice. Before games start tomorrow, we take a trip to the heart of the capital city and talk to Walt Alexander about his Topeka High Trojans.
Coach Walt Alexander has built the Topeka High Trojans into a perennial Centennial League power, winning four out of the last five Centennial League titles.
However, last year the team took a step back. In a season where the team played inexperienced seniors, had six starters suffer injuries – including last year’s starting quarterback Corey Thomas – and lost to all four of their 6A counterparts, the Trojans finished 5-4 and failed to win in the first round of the new playoff format.
Alexander knows all this, but don’t expect him to overreact.
“Well you just can’t predict wins and losses,” Alexander said. “We can’t look at last year and compare anything when it comes to 6A schools.”
The 11-year Topeka High coach said despite last year’s woes, this team will make a run, not only another Centennial League title, but in the 6A playoffs as well.
For High, it starts in the weight room, where Alexander pushes his players to the limit not just in the summer, but in the winter as well.
“A lot of people you hear say ‘oh we had a great summer in the weight room.’ Well, the way we look at that is we had a great winter in the weight room. From November to May I don’t think anybody hits it as hard as we do and that’s we are most proud.”
“I don’t think any program in the state can ask any more than what we ask our kids as far as the 7-on-7’s and the team camps and the way we lift in the weight room, win state titles in weight championships and just be totally focused on the task at hand. And our kids do a super job of that. We prepare the same way every season.”
Topeka High is looking for their first playoff win since 2012. One of the players who will help them get over the hump is star sophomore running back Ky Thomas. As a true freshman, Thomas led the city in all-purpose yards, as he played running back, wide receiver and quarterback.
Alexander said it’s been a busy summer for Thomas.
“All our kids do everything they can to be successful. Ky probably takes it up a notch because he has to go to so many camps and Nike camps and all those things that colleges what to see.”
To complement Thomas, the Trojans will feature Jacquez Barksdale in the backfield. Barksdale, a transfer from Highland Park, and Thomas are the top two returning players in the city in rushing yards.
To pave the way for the backs, Topeka High will trot out the biggest offensive line in the city. Tanner Matthias (6’0” 260, senior), Matt Garza (6’6”, 320, senior) and Tucker Richey (6’0”, 285, senior) will anchor a stout offensive line.
Leading the offense at quarterback is sophomore Da’Vonshai Harden. A transfer from Highland Park, Harden will take over an offense that led the city in points per game and total offense.
“Well Da’Vonshai Harden’s the guy,” Alexander said. “He’s a tremendous talent. I couldn’t say enough about him for never have been in our system before and coming in and picking it up. He’s a very intelligent young man. He’s got a great arm and he can run the football.”
Harden will have a plethora of skill position players to support him. Along with Thomas and Barksdale, Harden will have fellow Highland Park transfer Larry White, as well as senior wide receiver Kieran Essmen, junior tight end and wide receiver hybrid Jalen Blackwell and junior receiver Logan Gage.
Coach Alexander believes his skill position players, with the athleticism and experience they possess, can take Topeka High to new heights.
“I think there is absolutely no reason that this unit can’t be the best we’ve ever had if they come together as a team,” Alexander said.
Defensively, Topeka High gave up 19.1 points per game last year, up from 13.7 in 2015. According to Alexander, in order to improve, his team must improve the chemistry.
“There’s no magic formula. There’s no magic offense or defense. I think the magic for this team is if they can come together as a collective group and truly care about each and have tremendous chemistry. If this group can do that, I think we have something special.”
This defense will feature senior defensive end Xavier Dunbar, senior linebacker Ethan Sams, and Shawnee Heights transfer Grant Cooney. Coach Alexander said he thinks this is the best front eight he has seen since he arrived to Topeka High in 2006.
The Trojans will face Hayden to start the season before playing Junction City at Hummer Sports Park. With the mix of experienced players and transfers, Alexander expects High to join the conversation among the 6A elites.
“We built this program over the last 12 years and our kids are excited about football now, and I think we belong in that conversation.”
Stats from the Topeka Capital-Journal and kpreps.com
