|
|
|
|
Can Wichita Football get back on top? A Wichita public high school has not won a state title since Wichita East back-to-back in 1982 and 1983. Four new head coaches in the City League intent to turn it around at Wichita East, North, South and West. We asked them what is the current status of Wichita high school football, and how can it improve on the state level?
|
Brian Byers
Wichita East |
 | "By not having middle school football, it really hurts, because for a lot of these kids, the first time they play football is when they get in high school. You look at the other schools around the area (outside Wichita), and they all have good middle school athletics, and that gets those kids connected and working hard and helps build their program...The schools are always talking about programs to get these kids connected to the school. Well, you got it already built in with athletics and fine arts. But when your middle school programs are all getting eliminated, you're losing those kids in middle school. |
|
Tom Beason
Wichita North |
 | "The most obvious, and yet seemingly overlooked, (discrepancy) between our programs and others is the general lack of training, practice facilities and equipment. Our City League student-athletes are currently under served compared to surrounding communities in terms of practice field and stadium conditions, weight room conditions, health safety and training room equipment and personnel...Our other deficit when comparing our programs (to others in the area) is the absence of district-funded middle school football program...With the right support, our league will regain its state-level competitiveness." |
|
Tony Johnson
Wichita South |
 | "I have noticed that one thing that hurt Wichita is the lack of a junior high football program that is operated and run by each high school. (Its absence) allows for open enrollment and for kids to feel like they can shop around. (This is) not legal in Kansas, and it is one thing that must get under control for all of Wichita to succeed...(Wichita) South has traditionally been down, so it will take some time (to turn it around). Still, to me, it is about attitude and changing the culture of our kids-getting them to believe. Wichita can be a great district, and I believe that our district athletic director (Bill Faflick) is working hard at improving the league." |
|
Chris Young
Wichita West |
 | "The one thing that I would suggest is to gain more publicity for these k9ids as far as bringing in more combines like they did this year (Nike Sparq Mini Camp on May 16). There are some athletics in the City League. We need to have a lot more speed/agility clinics throughout the league where they're continuously showcasing these kids and teaching them the fundamentals...You look at Hichinson and what (Randy) Dreiling has done (with the football program). Well,that one high school, so the community comes together (to support it). So what we have to do in the City League is to get everybody behind us. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
