After last season’s deep run into the Kansas 5A playoffs, the Timberwolves of Blue Valley Southwest are looking to capitalize on that momentum in 2021.

BV Southwest began last season playing five games against fellow Blue Valley district teams - all who are fellow members of the vaunted Eastern Kansas League - and who are classified as larger 6A teams.

>> BV Southwest team page, schedule <<

Against 5A squads last season, the Timberwolves were 2-1, including an upset over then Topeka Seaman (7-1) in the second round of the state playoffs. That victory earned them a trip to the sectional championship where they faced off against St. Thomas Aquinas for the second time in as many years. The Saints won that contest to advance to the state semifinals where they lost to eventual state champion Mill Valley.

Head coach Anthony Orrick, who begins his seventh year as the top Timberwolf, says last year was a watershed moment for his program.

“Making another deep run at a state championship shows how we are growing as a program,” Orrick said. “Our underclass players from last year have worked even harder this offseason. We have over 100 players in the program right now. The future looks bright.”

BV Southwest returns six starters on an offense that averaged over 22 points a game. 

Last year the offense catalyst for the Timberwolves was found in the arm of Tanner Curry - who graduated this past spring as the all-time career passing leader for the Timberwolves. Curry amassed over 1900 yards through the air last season including an all-star performance against Blue Valley West when he broke-out for nearly 350 yards passing.

While Curry will continue his football career at Independence Community College this fall, Orrick says he is excited about his quarterbacks, led by sophomore Dylan Dunn.

“We will have to combine several younger players and build off the experienced players,” Orrick said. “Our quarterback play will be one of those positions, but I feel very excited about what we have.”

Joining Dunn in the backfield will be two running backs who will each need to shoulder a higher offensive load. Senior Jake Laurie and junior Parker Smith are slotted to be the top two backs to start the season.

Laurie, one of several two-way Timberwolves players, will pull double-duty at linebacker which likely will portend a bruising, smash-mouth style of running. In his linebacker role, Laurie was responsible for 72 tackles last season.

Senior Chase Brungardt, and juniors Thomas Ippolito and Brett Sawaya all return to their starting spots on the offensive line, providing important protection for the young signal caller Dunn. 

Seniors Zach Atkins and Caden Hacker are the top two receiving targets from last season coming back for the Timberwolves. Atkins put up stellar numbers during his junior campaign and was one of the top receivers in the Kansas City metro area when he averaged nearly 20 yards per reception.

On defense, BV Southwest returns five starters including the aforementioned Jake Laurie, and Aidan Morgan, the senior tackle machine, will again look to be the team leader in tackles for loss (10) and sacks (4.5) this season. 

The secondary will be led by seniors Grant Regier and another Timberwolf two-way player in Caden Hacker. In addition to catching passes from his own quarterback, Hacker caught two from the opposing quarterback to lead the team in interceptions. He also showed his athleticism with two blocked field goals - athleticism that Orrick says could contribute to a very salty defense.

“We have some amazing athletes on the team, but the defensive guys have a chance to be pretty special,” Orrick said. 

The schedule this year for the Timberwolves doesn’t get any easier than last, with perennial powers Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, St. James and state semi-finalist De Soto on the docket. 

“We have no problem playing top competition. It makes us all better - players and coaches,” Orrick said.

The Timberwolves open the 2021 campaign against Blue Valley West on September 3. 

>> BV Southwest team page, schedule <<