In the nine years that have passed since the Vikings of Shawnee Mission West last brought home 6A state football championship hardware, head coach Tim Callaghan has seen his share of highs and lows.

“We’ve had some really great teams over the years, and also had some struggles,” Callaghan remarked. “This year we are hoping to rely on a number of guys to step up, thanks to our ever-improved off-season strength and conditioning program.”

Last year’s COVID-shortened season saw the Vikings end at a 2-5 record, with their two wins coming against fellow Sunflower League and Shawnee Mission school district foes South and North. 

Starting his 19th season as head coach for the Vikings, Callaghan, who has amassed a 107-55 record (66%) in his coaching career, says this year’s team is full of players who want to see their hard work pay off on Friday nights.

“This is a hardworking group of players who want to continue the Viking football tradition,” Callaghan remarked. “This is a group that has fun but knows how to work.”

The group this year for the Vikings will be led by nine returning starters on both sides of the ball, and a host of contributors who earned quality playing time last season.

On offense, Callaghan will have the luxury of two highly athletic and experienced quarterbacks to chose from between returning starter Mehki Knight (5-foot-11, 190) and fellow senior and former Bishop Miege Stag, Keith Gravely (6-foot, 181).

Senior tailback Logan White (5-foot-11, 165) returns as the Vikings' workhorse. Last season, White went for nearly 200 yards rushing in only four contests. His nearly 50 yards-per-game average was tops on the team. 

Callaghan said senior athletes Jayden Ford and Tony Reyes and the Gunion brothers - senior Thomas and sophomore Noah - will also push to earn snaps to help the team this season.

“I really like the lunchbox style of play out of the backs,” Callaghan gushed. “Add in sophomore Emil Blaylock to the mix and we are trending in the right direction in the backfield.”

The offensive line returns all five starters, with four of them being juniors. Senior Logan Hill (5-foot-10, 260) will be joined again by juniors James Saathoff (6-foot-1, 235), JT Rehder (6-foot-2, 230), Jake Riester (5-foot10, 230) and Logan Frackowiak (6-foot, 230).

Callaghan also pointed out that senior Josh Hayes, juniors Austin Gardner, Landon Wadman, Liam Staggs and Jayden Williams, as well as sophomores Jose Ruiz, TJ Hendricks and John Levia will be in the mix to show their bulldozer-like skills in the trenches.

“We have a really great group of hard-working underclassmen that we are looking to bring along sooner than later,” Callaghan forecasts. “This team will have a lot of speed and eventually a lot of depth.”

The pass-catching positions will be led by senior receiver and two-way standout Huston Rotich (6-foot-1, 165), who will look to build upon his 11 yards-per-catch average from last season. Callaghan said Ford, Reyes, the Gunion’s, Blaylock, Chris Wade, Cole Wofford, Jacob Menzoa and Terance Maddox each have a great shot of getting on the field and helping the Vikings put up more points than last season. Senior tight end Hayden Berndt (6-foot-3, 265) will be an imposing match-up for linebackers across the Sunflower League.

Defensively, top returning receiver and wood-laying safety Huston Rotich returns with his team-leading 43 tackles to lead a strong secondary along side senior cornerback Zach Bailey (5-foot-11, 165).

The Vikings linebacking scourge will be led by four returning starters: seniors Drew Lippold (6-foot, 181), Ed Story (5-foot-11, 185), and Dakota Catorie (5-foot-10, 205), and junior Jonah Dolphino (5-foot-11, 185). Callaghan said to also keep an eye out for juniors Gunnar Noard and Nathan Cowley to see playing time.

SM West will offer a potent edge rush led by a pair of 265-pound bookends in the two-way-playing Hayden Berndt and fellow defensive end senior Cedric Johnson (5-foot-11, 165). Berndt and Johnson combined for 39 tackles and two fumble recoveries last year. 

While returning starters and their experience don’t always translate into success, Callaghan said with this group there is no shortage of tough-nose attitude and optimism.

“These guys know how to compete. They understand improvement needs to come from beginning to end of the season,” Callaghan gushed. “They will be eager to prove themselves every Friday night. They are ready to take control of the Viking Ship.

The Vikings open the 2021 campaign on September 3 against Olathe South.