Last season the St. Thomas Aquinas football program kicked in the door and forced its way into the Kansas Class 5A state championship football game for the first time in school history, breaking a nine-game semifinal losing streak in the process.
Unfortunately for head coach Kevin Kopecky, the Saints ran into a brick wall once they took the field at Welch Stadium in Emporia, losing to five-time state champion Hutchinson 38-0 in the title game.
Now after losing 16 starters to graduation, Kopecky has one major rebuilding project on his hands before his squad is up to the task of equaling or bettering last season’s performance.
“We lost a lot of talent from what was the largest group of seniors (43) to ever play football at St. Thomas Aquinas, and the most successful,” Kopecky said. “They led us to our first appearance in the state championship game and they’ll always be remembered for that.”
With the heavy casualties to his starting lineup, Kopecky is aware that a lack of respect could be lying ahead for his football program in 2009. However, the 13th-year Aquinas coach isn’t concerned.
“No one will give us much of a chance,” Kopecky said, “I kind of like that. Our returning players have worked very hard in the off-season.”
Due to an injury to a teammate last season, senior offensive guard James Slaven (6-1, 175) filled in on Kopecky’s offensive line as a part-time starter. Now Slaven, who Kopecky said played very well down the stretch last season, returns as the only Saint lineman with starting experience.
Joining Slaven up front will be returning senior lettermen Matt Coombs (6-2, 195) and Mitch Higgins (6-1, 225). Senior Kevin Klein (6-5, 215) should be a solid offensive tackle in 2009.
Kopecky, who owns a 91-43 record in 12 seasons at Aquinas and a 150-99 career mark, is still in search of 2007 and 2008 starting quarterback Ricky Nachbar’s replacement.
The 2008 Metro Sports Coach of the Year is looking at either junior Richard Davila (6-0, 190) or senior Eddie Regan (6-0, 185) to replace Nachbar’s 2,495-yard passing performance of a year ago.
Junior Degan Reed (6-0, 195), who Kopecky refers to as a great athlete that is getting plenty of looks from Division I schools, returns to his starting running back position from last season.
Reed rushed for 294 yards and 6 touchdowns on 45 carries during his sophomore season, and he added 17 catches for 239 yards and another score. The versatile athlete also returned 13 kicks for an average of 21 yards per attempt.
Andrew Gittemeier (5-10, 170) will also be called on to carry the football. But with his speed, the junior may also be tried at receiver. Junior Drake Kuhlmann (5-11, 165), who is considered by Kopecky to be one of the better athletes on the team, will also get some playing time at receiver.
Junior Jonathan Pyle (6-1, 175) and senior returning lettermen Kyle Ahern (5-11, 135), Drew Ney (6-1, 160), Michael Peabody (5-8, 140) and Jack Savage (6-2, 170) will all have balls thrown their way during the upcoming campaign.
Four starters return for Kopecky on defense, including Division I-A prospect Blake Martin (6-3, 215). The senior defensive end earned first team All-Eastern Kansas League honors as a sophomore and as a junior and led the Saints with 116 tackles last season, including 8 stops for losses and a pair of sacks.
Second team all-conference honoree senior Ryan Mueller (6-2, 210) returns at the other defensive end position after posting 88 tackles for Aquinas during his junior season. Mueller was also credited with 11 tackles for losses and 6 sacks.
Seniors Jake Hammer (6-0, 210), Michael Feuerborn (5-10, 215), Jake Miller (5-11, 205) and Bubba Redlingshafer (5-10, 195) will all get playing time up front on defense too.
Kopecky said that honorable mention all-conference free safety Michael Armentrout (5-7, 160) is a very physical player that goes all out every play. Joining Armentrout will be senior lettermen Mitch Golubski (5-7, 150) and Nathan Russell (5-9, 145) and junior moniker wearers Gittemeier and Kuhlmann.
The Saint linebacking crew will be led by honorable mention all-conference outside linebacker Mike Newman (5-11, 170), who had 69 tackles, 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery a year ago. Senior Jake Corrigan (6-0, 215), who is a good run stopper, and Alex Erker (6-0, 180) will also get playing time there.
The Saints open the season against North Kansas City and then travel to Class 4A challenger and EKL foe Bishop Miege.
“Our league schedule is brutal every season,” Kopecky said. “There really are no weak teams in our conference, plus our district is solid with us, Gardner-Edgerton, Ottawa and Pittsburg.”
