After some tough years of gray skies, the clouds broke and Truman enjoyed a sunny season in 2014.

Now the Patriots look to really break things open in 2015, the third year under head coach Gregg Webb. In a short period of time, Webb – a 6-time state champion coach in Kansas – has turned Truman around to a winning program with a 6-5 mark and a playoff win in 2014.

“The challenge of coaching is to find out what buttons you have to push to get the most out of each young man and team,” said Webb, who owns a 254-69 career mark and 11 state title appearances. “Another key to being a successful coach is to get your kids to understand what it is you want them to do. It’s not how much you know, it’s how much you can get your kids to know and still be aggressive when they play.”

Leading the way will be senior running back Jordan Salima. The 5-10, 180-pound senior ripped off 1,508 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in a breakout year as a junior.

“Jordan could be one of the best backs in the city,” stated Webb. “He has great feet and vision – he could run for a ton of yards if we stay healthy.”

Senior quarterback Dean Clemons returns after jaunting for 585 rushing yards in just six games (96 ypg). The two will provide a lethal running threat in 2015.

Along with the veteran backfield, the line will return three starters in senior tackles Cody Broyles (6-0, 280) and Mauricio Martinez (6-0, 285). Junior guard Kaine Williams (6-0, 270) also will provide experience and size up front. Senior Drew Bronson (6-0, 255) will start at center, while fellow senior Logan Jester (6-4, 250) rounds out the line.

Junior tight end Terrance Fielder (6-1, 225) and fullback Filomane Toese (6-0, 265) will provide even more size at key positions.

“I want our kids to be tough physically and mentally and to play with great pride and determination,” Webb stated. “I want us to attack and be physically brutal on offense. But we need to limit our mistakes and not beat ourselves.”

Defensively, Truman should be improved, but that isn’t a big statement as the Patriots surrendered an average of over 45 points in their five losses.

Salima (safety) and Clemons (cornerback), along with fellow senior Joe Allen (6-2, 180), will provide experience in the secondary.  Toese joins senior Elijah Stewart and Phillip Woosley (6-2, 250) at defensive end as returning starters. Junior Dion Sauni (6-3, 220) also will be up front at end.

“Toese is as talented as anybody,” Webb said. “He is raw and doesn’t know how to play hard on every snap yet.  But he is crazy athletic and could be dominating at D-tackle.”

Senior Van Oswald (5-11, 180) will patrol at outside linebacker, while Hector Navarrete (6-0, 230) will man the middle.

“Our defense will be better,” touted Webb. “We have kids who can play. We need to get to the next level of playing so hard that we have a personality. We don’t have that yet.  Our defensive line has to be more physical and help our linebackers by covering up the offensive line. Our secondary might be our strength – and they’ll need to be because we ask so much from them.”

All that said, a lot has to be attained for the Patriots to reach their goals of a district title and advancing further in the Class 5 playoffs.

“We still need to get stronger and more physical if we want to have a chance of competing for a district title and making some noise in the playoffs,” Webb said.