TOPEKA HIGH TROJANS

By Keegan McCullick, Staff Writer

Topeka High struggled through what can only be described as a brutal schedule during the 2022 season. Besides the team’s lone win against Emporia and a loss to Liberal in Week 3 Trojan opponents combined for a 67-15 record and included Week 1 and 2 matchups with the back-to-back 5A state runners-up Maize, and eventual 6A state champs Manhattan.

The Trojans finished the season 1-8, but are optimistic about what the 2023 season can bring thanks to the return of a strong group of starters, as well as senior BJ Canady, a 6-7, 255 pound quarterback and D-lineman ranked fifth in the class of 2024 prospects by 247. Going into last season, Canady was rated number one in the class, before dealing with significant foot injuries last spring that continued that limited him during the fall football season. Despite playing very little over the last year, Canady still holds offers and interest from a number of FBS programs and a healthy season is sure to see him commit to a DI college football program.

Canady is likely to line up as a three tech at the next level, but at Topeka High they try to keep him as involved as possible on both sides of the ball when healthy.

“BJ is a big part of what we want to do offensively and defensively,” head coach Carlos Kelly said. “He battled all season long with the pain in his feet, and we were able to find out later after the season that he was playing with two broken feet. This limited what he was able to do, and he is working very hard and feeling much better.”

Even with being stuck on the sidelines most of last year, Canady still had his impact felt.

“Mentally, from a leadership standpoint, BJ has been the constant voice of the team saying, ‘Let’s work harder, let’s work together, we need everyone’,” Kelly said. “We can feel that he is willing the team to press for a different outcome than last season. BJ is super-competitive and is an ideal teammate, player, student, and all-around good young man.”

With Canady included, the Trojans bring back nine starters on both sides of the ball.

Next to Canady in the backfield are senior running back Isaiah

Kincade (141 rush yds., multiple MIAA offers) and junior running back Tevante Ewing (243 rush yds.), along with juniors Jayden Norman (61 rec., 879 yds., 4 TDs) and SaRon Carter (3 rec., 78 yds.) at receiver, and juniors Jack Trotter, Cooper Martin, Trea Rogers, and Terrin Redding all back on the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball the Trojans welcome back senior nose guard Gary Coleman, along with junior defensive end Anthony Vasselli-Lowndes, junior linebackers DJ Johnson and Bryson Kincade, senior cornerback Jaziah Mack and Isaiah Kincade, junior strong safety Tevante Ewing, and sophomore free safety Malicah Murph.

“Our team is a year older and we are still young at some positions,” Kelly said. “But we anticipate this year’s team to make some strides despite the very tough schedule put in front of us.” strong at sub-state,” Kunz said. “We are preparing for a strong start and even stronger finish this year.”

Kunz recorded 85 tackles, 10.5 tacklesfor-loss, five sacks, two interceptions, and three fumble recoveries during his junior campaign, and is hoping for even more production this fall.

“Individual goals are to outdo the stats I had last season and help to lead my team,” Kunz said. “Team goal for the season is to win a state title.”

Junior linebackers Cade Howell (52 tkls., 7 TFLs) and Isaac Winter (44 tkls., 2 TFLs) were the second and third leading tacklers behind Kunz, and are back to give the Cardinals a formidable linebacker trio.

On the defensive line senior D-tackle Blake Pauly (22 tkls., 4 TFLs, 1 sack) and junior D-end Nathan Berntsen (32 tkls., 7.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks) are set to continue disrupting opposing backfields.

In the defensive backfield, juniors Eli Howard (39 tkls., 2 INTs) and Grant Fisher (10 tkls., 1 INT), along with senior free safety Taylor Wykes (24 tkls., 3 INTs), are back to keep the top on the defense. “The Red Rage defense will look to get as much athleticism on the field as possible,” Biehler said. “We return many starters on a unit that made big improvements as the season progressed.” who led the defense in tackles with 126, sacks with five, tackles-for-loss with 25, fumble recoveries with three, and also forced two fumbles, blocked a punt and deflected three passes, good for recognition as an SIK 4A Defensive Player of the Year finalist.

On the offensive side of the ball, Kunz gained 2,266 yards rushing with 27 TDs on 7.6 yards per carry as the spearpoint of the Cardinals’ iconic single wing system adept at grinding down opponents.

Kunz’ backfield mates, Winter (42 car.,307 yds., 4 TDs) at wingback and Bernsten at fullback (60 car., 255 yds., 4 TDs), were other key sources of production.

Wykes (8-20, 89 yds.; 22 car., 124 yards, TD) and Howell (8-21, 146 yds.; 19 car, 78 yds, TD) both gained experience last year and provide a couple options in the passing game.

Clearing the way for the Cardinal backfield is a veteran offensive line led by seniors Gunner Williams, Jacob Osner, and Blake Pauly, as well as junior Cooper Koster – a non-starter last year expected to make a big impact this season for a unit Biehler called one of the team’s biggest strengths.

“Love and accountability are the strongest components that will lead you to success,” McCormack said. “Coach Clothier stresses the idea of loving the people around you and holding them to a higher standard. We believe a big factor in our recent success is the result of love and accountability.”

McCormack and a roster full of experienced talent steeped in Circle’s new culture are back this fall, including seven defensive and 10 offensive starters from last season.

Senior Kobe Huggins (11 tkls., 3 sacks) and sophomore Caderick Korkki (10 tkls., sack) return at defensive tackle, along with junior Coy Stephens (31 tkls., 3 sacks) at defensive end.

McCormack is the lone linebacker returning for the Thunderbirds, while seniors Nick Ahles (33 tkls., INT) and Conner Chadwell (25 tkls., INT), along with junior Ben McAdoo (16 tkls., 2 INTs) are back at defensive back.

Offensively, senior quarterback Conner Chadwell (285 total yds.) takes over under center after the graduation of his brother Cooper Chadwell who threw for over 2,000 yards in 2022. Junior Westin Rose (119 car., 868 yds., 9 TDs) and McCormack (85 car., 558 yds., 8 TDs) are back as primary ball carriers to give Circle a strong backfield led by four senior O-linemen, Connor Freeman, Andrew Tien, Tony Berryman, and Malakai Maier.

While the graduation of Ty Smith, headed to Missouri Southern State to play football, leaves a hole in the receiving corps and defensive backfield, senior receivers Cole Glaves (23 rec., 450 yds., 4 TDs), Nick Ahles (5 rec., 32 yds.), and Drew Berryman (1 rec., 9 yds.) will provide the Thunderbirds more options.

“We want to make it to state, just like every other team,” McCormack said. “Last year we came the closest Circle ever has, but came a couple games short. We want respect and want people to know about the new Circle. But since football is a small portion of life, we also want to make lifelong friends with each other and just be the best people we can be.”