Central KansasTeam of the Week: Wichita Heights

Coming into the 2008 football season, it was clear that the City League would sort itself out early in the year with a few key match-ups involving three favorites. Between Bishop Carroll, Northwest and Heights, one would be in the driver's seat after the first three weeks. Three weeks later, Wichita Heights is squarely behind the wheel. "We feel really good about our points scored and points allowed," Heights coach Rick Wheeler said. "I think we've performed pretty well so far." Wheeler is particularly happy with the play of his defense thus far. Senior cornerback Duane Sims preserved the Carroll victory in week one with a strip and he intercepted Northwest quarterback Ethan Chadick three times last week. "We've known all along that Duane was going to be a great player," Wheeler said. "I am just really happy that he was able to show everyone the talent that we knew he was capable of." Heights had seven returning starters on each side of the ball coming into the season and it has showed. "Joey Barnes has been outstanding at middle linebacker," Wheeler said. "Phillips Iheme and Ian Knight have been great on the line and I think our defense is as good as any." After close victories over Bishop Carroll and Northwest sandwiched between another tough win over Kapaun Mount Carmel, the Falcons are at the top of the City League standings, but they are not alone. "Don't forget about East and Southeast," Wheeler said. "We're not going to overlook them at all and we will have tough district games against them." The Buffaloes and the Aces also remain at the top of the standings through three weeks, although neither have faced any of the three aforementioned contenders. Heights will deal with those two teams, along with Derby, in redesigned District 6. "I guess this is just the way things work," Wheeler said of the new district. "We definitely don't have to drive as far as we did in the past to take on Junction City, Manhattan, and Emporia, which were good, quality teams." Although they have new opponents, Wheeler knows that Heights will face the same quality of competition. "It seems like East has emerged to be a great program, Southeast is talented, and Brandon Clark has a great program down there at Derby," Wheeler said. "I think it will be easier for our kids to prepare to play teams that they are familiar with, though." This week Heights is preparing for an abnormal opponent. The Falcons will travel to Great Bend on Friday to face the Panthers. "Great Bend is a well-coached team and they have been in the state semifinals the last few years," Wheeler said. "We're hopeful that this game will prepare us for playoff time. The atmosphere will be fun in Great Bend and all the players and coaches are excited about the opportunity."