By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Editor's note: TopSports.news will post preview stories for all 10 Shawnee County high school football programs over the coming days, leading into the opening games of the 2026 season on Sept. 3 and 4.
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Shawnee Heights graduated some very talented football players off last fall's 4-5 team, including Kansas signee Tyren Parker, Washburn University's Aiden Scott, Emporia State's Blake Coffman and Baker's AJ Gallegos.
Jason Swift is starting his 24th season at Shawnee Heights, with the T-Birds coming off a 4-5 season last fall. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
But while the loss of those standouts, and 15 starters overall, leaves the T-Birds with holes to fill, veteran T-Bird coach Jason Swift is counting on a host of newcomers to take advantage of their opportunity to crack the Shawnee Heights lineup this fall.
"This year, with all those seniors that we lost, this is a great opportunity for some kids to win a spot and perform well on Friday nights,'' said Swift, who is beginning his 24th season at Shawnee Heights. "I'm excited for them and it's going to be a good competition.''
Swift knows that he and his staff will need to show some patience, particularly early in the season, as the newcomers are getting acclimated to varsity football.
"The game's a lot faster on a Friday than it is on a Monday and in high school you're always going to have some kids leave and new guys fill in, but I also see that as exciting as you prepare in the summer and you've been working hard in the weight room,'' Swift said. "Hopefully you understand your role as a player and you understand the schemes of the game and if you do then it's a chance for you to shine.''
"I think our schedule is going to be tough all the way around, but if we get better week by week -- and with a young team that's what you're hoping for -- then you'll be in a good position by Week 8, Week 9.''
Senior Will Skaggs, a three-year starter on the offensive line and a two-time second-team All-United Kansas Conference pick, will be counted on to be a leader for the T-Birds.
"I just try to use my experience that I've had of playing two years so far and just use it to help out the young guys and work with them to step up this season,'' Skaggs said.
The T-Birds also return senior wide receivers Dallas Owens and Javon Williams and senior lineman Evan Jones on offense while defensive backs Williams and senior Brody Daniels and senior outside linebacker Christian Labrador are top returners on defense.
Owens caught 48 passes for 619 yards and four touchdowns a year ago while Williams had 29 catches for 332 yards and five TDs.
Defensively Labrador was in on 76 tackles and earned All-UKC honorable mention while Daniels was in on 35 tackles and Williams was in on 30 stops and picked off four passes.
Senior Kolby Kutscher is expected to take over as Shawnee Heights' starting quarterback this fall while senior running back Trone Purvis carried the ball 95 times for 376 yards and five TDs last season, including a 138-yard effort against Seaman.
"I thought a lot of kids embraced the summer and they really dedicated themselves and we saw some good things out of it,'' Swift said.
Shawnee Heights will open its season Sept. 4 at home against Turner and the T-Birds will also be home in Week 2, facing city rival Topeka West.
All eight of the T-Birds' eight regular-season games will be against United Kansas Conference opponents, with the UKC developing into one of the state's premier leagues.
"That's what's special about this league is that night-in, night-out you're going to have not just practice well all week but you're going to have to play well to have an opportunity to win,'' Swift said.
"And that makes it fun. That's high school football, when every time you get on the bus you know that the game may be determined by three to five plays.''
SHAWNEE HEIGHTS
2026 football schedule
September -- 4 Turner, 11 Leavenworth, 18 at Seaman, 25 at Topeka West.
October -- 2 Spring Hill, 9 at Piper, 16 De Soto, 23 at Basehor-Linwood, 30 Class 5A playoffs.
Next up: Silver Lake.
