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Shawnee Heights head football coach Jason Swift remembers fondly the Thunderbirds’ last league title in 2017. They were then members of the Centennial League.

“Our 2017 team that won the league title was one of the best we’ve had in quite a while,” Swift remembered. “This year’s group has a chance to really turn some heads.”

The T-Birds joined the United Kansas Conference in its infancy in 2018, but since then have had back-to-back injury-filled years that saw six players fall to torn ACL’s last year alone. Shawnee Heights finished the 2020 season with a 1-8 mark, which included facing five teams that were state quarterfinalists or better. 

Despite having a couple tough seasons, Swift and company are hoping the memory of two rough seasons has escaped Thunderbird minds. Swift says they need a short memory to move forward. 

“(We) need to shake off a tough year last season and put the last couple years behind us,” Swift said optimistically. “We need to change the mentality and have one of expecting - versus hoping - to win. Of course, staying healthy will be a big part of it as well.”

The offense will return over half of last year’s starters, and will be built around a nucleus of experienced senior talent. Running back Jarin Sanders and an offensive line that has five experienced trenchmen is a reason the coaches are excited about the potential of putting up plenty of points. 

Sanders last year carried the rock for over 400 yards in the shortened season and will again be called upon to be the backfield workhorse. Sophomore Ayden McDaniel will spell Sanders when needed. 

Paving the way on the offensive line will be four returning starters on the interior line and a solid tight end. Seniors Garrett Peery (5-foot-8, 205), Orrin Busenitz, Harlan Watson, and junior Gavin Zuperku will be the steamrollers up front. Senior Carter Olson will pull double-duty as a receiving tight end and pancake blocker for the Thunderbirds.

Busenitz (6-0, 300) earned second team All-UKC League honors last season. Swift said to also keep an eye on sophomore lineman Christian Gonzales as a player who will see plenty of snaps this season.

On the wings, Swift says he expects the speedy sophomore wide receiver Jayden Moore to fit in nicely with seniors Jason Busenitz and Braden Ginter to help stretch the field for the T-Birds. 

Quarterback is a position that’s currently being vetted by a trio of seniors at Shawnee Heights this season. Braden Brown, Raiden McGrew and Jacob Malcom are all in the hunt to earn the QB1 title. They each have about 30 days to impress the coaches enough to start the season leading the offense. Swift said regardless of who earns the starting nod, there will be two capable quarterbacks ready to have their number called, resulting in a quarterback trifecta.

“We’re really excited about our offensive potential. We have depth - which we haven’t had as much in recent years, so things will hopefully tilt in our favor in those closer games,” Swift said prognostically. 

Defensively, Shawnee Heights brings back seven of their 11 starters from 2020, anchored by a core group of returning linebackers. Junior Sean Wunder and seniors Rusty Ullery and Dawson Block combined for 138 total tackles and are back at it again. Their production will be one of defensive cornerstones this year according to Swift. 

“The defense will be fast and experienced,” Swift said excitedly. “Our linebackers are some of the best in the league and we think they will have a huge season due to their work ethic and always churning motor. They will play down hill and make plays.”

On the defensive line, Shawnee Heights returns one of the best linemen in the class of 2022 in Matthew Etzel (6-foot-2, 215), and rising sophomore Alex McHardie. 

Etzel was credited with 40.5 tackles and a sack last season. He and McHardie will be joined in the trenches by a number of up-and-coming linemen, thanks to strong underclass development. 

“With over 20 seniors and 30 sophomores, the varsity will have depth to platoon this season,” Swift said with anticipation. “After having several players from last year be forced to play both ways, we are really looking forward to having great depth.”

In the defensive secondary, Shawnee Heights returns a handful of playmakers that with use their size and experience to keep opposing offenses hearing steps all season.

Senior safeties Ja’Laveyn January and Callan Carver totaled 88 tackles between them last season and an interception. January is a seasoned player who garnered second team All-UKC recognition last year.

Senior defensive back Marcus Jones is the lone returner on the outside, but this is another area where underclassmen will be leaned on to step up and earn playing time.

“We are very proud of the work the players have invested in the weight room,” Swift said pridefully. “We have four starters who can bench over 300 pounds and have several who squat over 400 pounds. This will make us one of the stronger Shawnee Heights football teams and we’re excited to get started!”

The Thunderbirds begin the 2021 campaign when they travel to Leavenworth on September 3.

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