By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: TopSports.news has finished its tour of preseason football practices at all 10 Shawnee County high schools and will post preview stories over the coming days leading into the opening games of the 2024 season on Sept. 6.
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Trey Parker served as Topeka West's interim football coach for the final three games of the 2022 season before guiding West for his first full campaign last fall.
Trey Parker is entering his second full season as Topeka West's football coach, with the Chargers' looking to improve on back-to-back 1-8 seasons. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
And with that 12 games of experience and two offseasons with the Chargers under his belt, Parker thinks his team is ready to take a step forward this fall after back-to-back 1-8 campaigns.
"This summer we started to see them turn the corner,'' said Parker, a former Washburn University standout. "We just kept preaching CCA. I said it from Day 1 and we've been consistent with that message: They've got to be committed, they've got to be consistent and now we're holding each other accountable and I think that's a good thing to see.
"This summer, the few camps we went to we started to see those leaders pop out of the group and now they're doing pretty good.''
Parker said he's also seen an increase in the Chargers' numbers and progress in the weight room.
"It started in our school,'' Parker said. "We had a bunch of athletes walking the halls that just don't play any sports at all, so first we had to persuade them to play. Then they all got in the weight room and now they're starting to feel themselves, they're starting to see their body changing and now they're walking around looking like athletes.''
Now Parker is banking on those two factors translating into progress on the field this fall.
"I can't put a number on the amount of wins we want to see this year, but we definitely want to see those steps to where we're now competitive, that we're in games where people don't think we should be in, where we're a possession away from a win and things like that,'' Parker said. "We feel like if we can get ourselves in a position we have the athletes to win some of those games, so we're looking for that big jump this year.
"It's just like with anything you do in life, the more you do it the more you feel comfortable. We've gotten more comfortable with each other. They know who I am now and they know I love to joke and have a good time, but when it's time to work it's time to work.''
Top returners for Topeka West include senior wide receiver/deensive back Elijah Berg, junior lineman Logan Hunninghake, sophomore lineman Dorian Rhoten Jr. and sophomore running back Damon Webb Jr.
Hunninghake, 6-2, 245, was a full-time starter for West at offensive tackle last season, allowing only three sacks all season with two of those coming against Class 5A state champion Mill Valley. Hunninghake earned All-Shawnee County honorable mention as a sophomore.
Berg is the Chargers' top returning receiver while Rhoten and Webb earned varsity playing time as freshmen.
Parker is also counting on former West state triple jump champion Alesecio Batson to make a major contribution in multiple roles this fall as a senior, including on defense at safety, while sophomore quarterback Micah Emerson and defensive lineman Pierce Lassiter are also expected to make an impact.
Topeka West will open its 2024 season Friday night with a tough test, going on the road to face De Soto in a United Kansas Conference contest before playing its home-opener against city and UKC rival Shawnee Heights at Hummer Sports Park on Sept. 13.
TOPEKA WEST
2024 football schedule
(Home games at Hummer Sports Park)
September -- 6 at De Soto, 13 Shawnee Heights, 20 at Seaman, 27 at Lansing.
October -- 3 Basehor-Linwood, 11 KC-Turner, 18 at Leavenworth, 25 Piper.
Next up: Washburn Rural.
