By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
The Topeka West Charger football team will continue to hunt for its first win of the season after dropping a meeting with undefeated Basehor-Linwood 59-6 Thursday at Hummer Sports Park.
Topeka West celebrates a big play in Thursday's 59-6 UKC loss to undefeated Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
The fifth loss in as many tries ensures the character building will continue for at least another week for the Chargers.
“We knew coming in that this wasn’t an easy turnaround,” said Topeka West coach Trey Parker. “The kids knew. We sat them down and told them it wouldn’t be easy to get where we want to be. But they’re bought in, and they understand that it’s a process.
“Obviously, right now we’re not seeing what we want to see, but we’ll get there soon. I think the kids are starting to see that.”
The Bobcats controlled Thursday’s contest from the outset, scoring on their first play from scrimmage on a long pass. They added scores on another pass, a long run play, and a field goal in the first half to lead 24-0.
The highlight of the night for the Chargers came early in the second half. Topeka High scored on a long pass from quarterback Jacob Brewster to a streaking Alesecio Batson, who finished a 79-yard scoring play.
Parker said the Chargers made a concerted effort to throw downfield, particularly when freshman Josiah Wilke was quarterbacking the team.
Topeka West freshman quarterback Josiah Wilke (17) attempts a pass in Thursday's 59-6 UKC loss to Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
“The biggest thing we saw tonight was our freshman quarterback Josiah Wilke,” Parker said. “He stepped up big time. He made a lot of big throws against the number one team in our conference right now. He kind of got a small injury late in the first half, but that was the brightest star we saw tonight.”
Topeka West senior Treyvion Barr hauls in a pass in Thursday's 59-6 UKC loss to undefeated Basehor-Linwood. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Parker said throwing the ball plays to the strength of the Charger team – its talented receivers.
“I personally feel like, talent for talent, we have the best receiving corps in the conference,” Parker said. “We’ve got Elijah Berg. He’s a matchup problem. Alesecio Batson is a triple jump state champion. Who’s going to match that? Then we have a slot kid in Trey Barr that can run past anyone, shift anyone up. So, it’s just a matter of us executing and getting them the football. That’s why we went to the air.”
Brewster filled in for Wilke and connected on the scoring pass. But the Chargers were unable to slow the Bobcats’ offense throughout the game. Basehor-Linwood improved to 5-0 and maintain its position atop the United Kansas Conference.
Parker said, at least for now, the Chargers aren’t measuring success on the scoreboard.
“Last year, about this time of the year, we were down to 35, 40 kids. We’re still 65, 70 strong,” said Parker, who took over the program late in the 2022 season. “We have kids showing up every day and putting in the work. They’re understanding that it’s hard to win a football game, especially in this conference.
“The biggest reason why the kids are still here is relationships. They’ve had a revolving door of head coach, and now our coaching staff is in here and we’re building relationships with the kids.
“A lot of times in their life, people give up on them. So, they don’t understand the process. But they know we’re not giving up on them.”
