Topeka High enters the 2026 football season focused on becoming a more disciplined and physical team after finishing 3-6 a year ago.
Coach Jason Filbeck said the Trojans are emphasizing execution on offense while continuing to build on a defense that has been a strength over the past two seasons.
“We are making efforts to eliminate the big mistakes and play a cleaner, tougher brand of offense,” Filbeck said.
Topeka High returns five offensive starters, giving the Trojans a veteran presence as they transition into a flexbone offense. The offense will feature senior quarterback/wide receiver Asher Filbeck, senior wide receiver/slot Courtney Sanders, senior offensive linemen Isaac Roman Chavez and Devin Ponte, and junior running back Ricardo Dowd.
Sophomore Kayden Lucas also is expected to play a key role at quarterback and running back.
The Trojans want their offense to establish a physical identity while taking advantage of their athletes on the perimeter.
“We are going to be physical!” Filbeck said. “We are not going to snap the ball over our heads and ruin drives ever again.”
Topeka High believes the flexbone can give its athletes opportunities to make plays while forcing defenses to account for multiple options.
“We feel that if we can be disciplined enough to operate all the phases of the option game, matched with the kind of athletes we have on the perimeter, we are going to be a tough offense to stop,” Filbeck said.
The Trojans return seven defensive starters, providing experience on a unit that has been one of the program’s more consistent areas over the past two seasons. However, Topeka High graduated several important contributors and will need new players to step into expanded roles.
Senior defensive back Ant Jones, senior defensive lineman Trey Lutz, junior free safety Jones Erbe, sophomore strong safety Lucas and Sanders are among the players expected to contribute.
“We have been putting a big focus also on being more physical up front,” Filbeck said.
Topeka High will continue to operate out of a 3-3 stack defensive formation. The Trojans plan to attack offenses with an aggressive approach that emphasizes pressure and coverage.
“We play an aggressive style of defense,” Filbeck said. “We like to play a good amount of man coverage and stunt our front.”
The Trojans also place an emphasis on preparation and identifying what opposing offenses do best.
“We like to believe we do as good job scheming off of the other teams tendencies and organizing our game plan off of their biggest threats,” Filbeck said.
With experience returning on both sides of the ball, Topeka High hopes improved discipline and physicality can translate into more consistent results in 2026.
The challenge will be replacing key defensive contributors while developing the younger players who will be asked to take on bigger roles.
If the Trojans can limit mistakes, execute the flexbone consistently and maintain their aggressive defensive identity, Filbeck believes Topeka High can become a difficult matchup.
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