Wichita Heights returns two quarterbacks this season |
Wichita Heights returns two quarterbacks, 14 starters from last season's state runner-up team.
Coach: Rick Wheeler (78-32 in 11 season at Heights and 91-55 in 15 seasons overall)
2009 Recap: 8-5 overall (4-3, 3rd place in GWAL). Lost to Olathe North 37-3 in State Championship. Heights won six games in a row at the end of the season and in the playoffs to make the state championship game.
Returning Starters: Offense 6, Defense 8
Returning Lettermen: 22
GWAL PREDICTION BLOG
2010 Outlook:
Offense:
Heights struggled early last season until sophomore quarterback Matt Reed started taking snaps. Then things started to click for the offense. The Falcons return both Reed and the quarterback he shared time with last year in senior John Moreland. Reed is the only returning junior starter on the offense.
There is also a wealth of experience in the backfield with University of Kansas commit Dreamius Smith and Daniel Deshazer both returning as starters. Smith was the only Falcon to clear 1,000 yards rushing last year. Deshazer was a first-team all-league selection as a specialist last season.
Athleticism will be an asset according to Heights head coach Rick Wheeler. All four of the Falcons named are stars in other sports as well. Deshazer and Reed are standout wrestlers, while Smith and Moreland play basketball and swim respectively.
One of the things the Falcon offense will have to overcome according to Wheeler is an undersized and inexperienced offensive line. Heights loses two first-team all-league selections off the offensive line. Dejuan Thompson and Meteo Kamboui are the only two returning starters on the offensive line. No other lettermen return on offense.
Defense:
The defense returns eight starters and the line will be a strength on the defensive side of the ball with second-team all-league selection Zerrance Brickhouse, Dominique Henderson, Kenny Caldwell and Justin Reynolds returning for their senior seasons on the defensive line.
The secondary also returns three starters in second-team all-league selection Evan Wessel and Trey Schrimsher, both seniors, and junior Jimmy Washington.
The linbacking group will be relatively inexperienced as only second-team all-league selection DeVon Haynes returns. Senior Hunter Jameson and junior Trevor Wessel are also returning lettermen at linebacker.
Odds and Ends:
Heights will look to make another deep run in the playoffs after making it to the state championship last year and the second round the year before.
“This year’s returning players have high expectations and a bad taste left in their mouth after a disappointing loss in the state championship game,” Wheeler said
Heights’ district does not change at all with Wichita East, Wichita Southeast and Derby to close the season. The Derby game to end the year is a matchup to watch. Derby only lost two games last year and both came at the hands of Heights. The Falcons beat Derby once for the district championship in the last game of the regular season and then again in the state semifinals…GWAL favorites Heights and Carroll open up on Sept. 3 at Heights.
