Kansas: St. Thomas Aquinas High School Football 2015 Season Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Head Coach: Randy Dreiling
Mascot: Saints
League: Eastern Kansas
2014: 9-4
Location: Overland Park, Kansas

Overview
In Coach Randy Dreiling’s first year with St. Thomas Aquinas he led the Saints all the way to an appearance in the Kansas 5A State Championship Game. St. Thomas Aquinas came up short in the title game against Bishop Carroll falling 39-7. Bad news for opposing Kansas high schools, the Saints have plenty of returning talent and experience, enough to have an even better season in 2015.

St. Thomas Aquinas opens the season against a tough Mill Valley team and then has another difficult game on Sept. 25 when they travel to Bishop Miege. If the Saints can get through these early season tests they will have the experience and confidence to battle for a state championship in 2015.

Offense
The Saints return nine starters from an offense that scored just over 31 points a game in 2014. Senior quarterback Karter Odermann is ready to lead this team once again in 2015. Odermann threw for 795 yards with 10 touchdowns and rushed for 1,072 yards and another 13 touchdowns last year.

The rushing attack will be led by 5’9”, 170 pound, senior running back James Cosentino. Cosentino had 1,296 rushing yards in nine games before suffering a season ending leg injury in 2014. The offensive line is filled by experienced seniors including 6’6”, 270 pound, left tackle Tom Killilea and 6’4”, 290 pound, right guard Zach Pfiefer. Other offensive weapons include seniors Jacob Leikam, Duron Lowe, and Sam Ramaekers.

Defense
St. Thomas Aquinas gave up just under 23 points a game in 2014. The defensive line will be led by 6’0”, 200 pound, senior defensive end Christian Chalabi and 6’3”, 232 pound, junior defensive end Angel Dominquez.

Another top Saint to watch for is senior safety/linebacker Christopher Schilling. Schilling had 78 total tackles and five interceptions last season. Another linebacker poised for a big season is senior Parker Swanson. Swanson had 47 total tackles and one sack in 2014. Cornerback Sean Benson (6’0”, 185) had 38 total tackles and two interceptions a year ago. All the returning talent leads the Saints to having a lockdown defense once again in 2015.

Schedule
9/4 Mill Valley
9/10 Blue Valley North
9/17 at Blue Valley Northwest
9/25 at Bishop Miege
10/2 Gardner-Edgerton
10/9 at Blue Valley
10/16 at Blue Valley Southwest
10/23 Blue Valley West
10/30 at Pittsburg

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 3 Karter Odermann drops back to pass
Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 2 James Cosentino with lineman Tom Killilea