By Kyle Yehle
Special to the Citizen
Following his first complete season as the West Platte football coach, Paul Thomas is eager to secure a week 1 win for the team’s fifth season in a row.
The Blue Jays finished last year 2-9, book ended by a season-opening victory and a district semifinal berth. West Platte came close to winning a handful of more games, falling to Welllington-Napoleon on the road 34-30, and later against conference rival Mid-Buchanan 19-17.
Thomas says he’s encouraged by the work put in during the summer months by his players and their game-by-game mentality.
“We had a really good offseason, and the kids’ goals are to take one game at a time and finish 1-0 each week,” Thomas said.
CODY THORN/Citizen photo
West Platte quarterback Noah Johnson scrambles away from a Mid-Buchanan tackler during a jamboree held on Friday, Aug. 17 at Mid-Buchanan High School in Faucett, Mo. Johnson is one of the Bluejays many returning starters on the offensive side of the ball.
On offense, West Platte returns several key pieces, including senior quarterback Noah Johnson and second-team all-conference senior running back Gavin Davis. Senior receiver Cole Vandel and junior Brayden Cogen are back at the wideout position.
On the line, seniors Thomas Tharp and Julian Trelow and juniors Jacob Brown and Jasper Basel will anchor the Blue Jays in the trenches. Thomas also expects to see opportunities for seniors Reece Bader and Cameron Saddell, junior Mason Taylor and sophomore Tanner DeHaven on the offensive line.
Defensively, the Blue Jays bring back a pair of all-KCI Conference honorees. Johnson recorded second-team all-conference honors at linebacker, while Davis garnered recognition as a first-team all-state punter. Tharp, Brown and Bader are all expected to start up front, with Taylor, DeHaven and Saddell also receiving time. Basel will start at linebacker and Davis will be at safety.
Vandel and Cogen will play defensive back, and sophomore Brandon James will see snaps at linebacker.
Thomas says the goals for each game this fall are simple.
“We need to be able to run the football and play great defense,” Thomas said. “If we do that, we have a chance. The first game is always the most important. We need to get off to a good start.”
Lathrop and Lawson are anticipated as the favorites in the KCI Conference after both suffering defeats to Class 2 state runner-up Lafayette County in the state playoffs last year.
West Platte opens their slate with Lone Jack at home Aug. 24, before a road game at South Harrison.