Topeka High football looking to generate excitement, welcome more players in 2024

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Topeka High football begins its first chapter under new head coach Jason Filbeck in 2024.

The Trojans finished 2023 with just one win, but Filbeck is looking to flip the script. He's hoping to generate excitement around the program, not just amongst fans and the community, but also in terms of welcoming more players.

Since coach is new to the program, he's called upon his current group of players to spread the word about the new era of Topeka High football.

"Get out there and talk to the hallways and get kids out," Filbeck said of what he's been telling his current group. "And it wasn't just seniors, young kids are doing the job juniors and sophomores and even freshmen are getting things going in the right direction. So it's kind of been cool to kind of step up and be leaders and recruit for us."

In addition to Filbeck and his new coaching staff, Topeka High's returning seniors noticed a lot of new faces at Monday's first official practice.

"I feel like we've been really stepping up to bring more people out," senior defensive player Detrick 'DJ' Johnson said. "That's been a big problem of ours of not having a lot of people show up to practice, but us showing off our leadership and bringing people who want to play is going to be a big change."

Johnson says there's a lot of positive energy at practice, even though it's early-on, as all the new pieces of the team start to fall into place. One thing that's already settled: the Trojans want to play ball.

"A lot guys are giving effort," senior offensive lineman Cooper Martin said. "The team wants to be here, they want to be at practice. That's the biggest change [from last season]."

The Trojans open their 2024 campaign on Sept. 6 at Wichita West.