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 2022 season Sept. 1-3.
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Russell Norton was a late hire as Topeka West's football coach, coming on board in early June.
But Norton, who has made several coaching stops at the high school and collegiate level, including Oskaloosa in 2021, hit the ground running and hasn't slowed down as the Chargers get ready to open their first season in the United Kansas Conference.
New Topeka West coach Russell Norton talks to his Chargers during Friday's Prep Football Jamboree at Hayden. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Topeka West senior Malachi Berg begins his fourth season as the Chargers' starting quarterback. [File photo/TSN]
"If you stay ready you ain't got to get ready,'' the 42-year-old Norton said. "I was always prepared for this after coaching college football, and this not being my first rodeo, you always are ready if you've got to move.
"I was happy where we were, but some things just changed and when this job came open it looked good.''
Norton gives Topeka West, which is coming off a 3-6 season, credit for giving him complete support as he has transitioned into his new position.
"The staff is what helped us get here,'' Norton said. "Being able to hire good people at a rapid rate, having the administration support us, that's what got us to be able to get where we are today.''
And Norton said he couldn't be happier with how the Charger players have bought in to the new staff.
"They've bought in 100 percent,'' Norton said. "From Day 1, when we walked into the building, you could see it in their faces. Coach (Ryan) Kelly built a great foundation that we're going to reap benefits from, but (the players) could see that I was a little bit different, the staff we hired is just a little bit different.
"Everybody jumps on a change right away whether it's good or bad, but once they saw how it was going they've stayed on it like a starving man on a Christmas ham, so we're good.''
Malachi Berg, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior, headlines Topeka West's returning cast, starting his fourth season as the Chargers' starting quarterback.
Other top returners include senior running back/linebacker Xavier Alexander (6-0, 215) and junior offensive/defensive lineman Kyrece Robinson (6-2, 245).
Berg, Alexander and Robinson all received TopSports.news All-Shawnee County and All-Centennial League honorable mention last season.
Norton is also looking for key contributions from senior receiver Kamen Jones, sophomore receiver Mason Jones and junior offensive/defensive lineman Kris Thomas.
Topeka West will play its first-ever United Kansas Conference game on Sept. 1 at Hummer Sports Park against a very familar opponent, Seaman. The Vikings are also moving to the UKC this fall.
"Our outlook is to be the best we can be,'' Norton said. "We will focus on the little things and the process of being a winner. We are looking to have a clear identity in all three phases of the game.
"We want to compete for all four quarters and not look at the scoreboard.''
TOPEKA WEST
2022 football schedule
(Home games at Hummer Sports Park)
September -- 1 Seaman, 9 Leavenworth, 16 at De Soto, 24 Piper, 30 at Lansing.
October -- 7 at Turner, 14 Shawnee Heights, 21 at Washburn Rural, 28 Playoffs.
Next up: Washburn Rural.
