2024 Pigskin & Hoops Preview: Seaman Vikings Football
TEAM: Seaman Vikings
CLASSIFICATION: 5A
LEAGUE: United Kansas Conference
COLORS: Cardinal Red & Royal Blue
SOCIAL MEDIA: @Seaman_Vikings on Twitter
HEAD COACH: Jared Swofford (4th year, 16-13)
2023 RECORD: 6-5 (5A Regional champions, sectional runners-up)
2023 IN REVIEW
Three one-score losses in the regular season kept the Seaman Vikings from an even better final record in 2023. After winning their first two games convincingly, a heart-stopping overtime loss to Shawnee Heights started a three-game losing skid, and a three-point loss at Basehor-Linwood late in the year meant the Vikings finished at .500. But after a resounding win over Washington in their week nine playoff game, the Vikings turned the tables with a three-point victory over De Soto to reach the sectionals in 5A for the first time since 2016, where they were eliminated by eventual 5A champions Mill Valley.
KEY DEPARTURES
Callan Barta wrapped up his stellar Seaman career as a first team All-UKC pick at receiver and defensive back, a KSHSAA Covered Top 33 selection, and a Shrine Bowl participant before heading off to Kansas State to continue his football playing days. The Vikings also lost three other seniors who were honorable mention All-Conference – receiver Holden Finley, linebacker Klayson Geller, and defensive back Jack Bloom.
TOP RETURNERS
The United Kansas Conference Offensive MVP is back under center for the Vikings. Max Huston threw for a state-leading 3,257 yards with a phenomenal 39-to-2 TD-INT ratio. He also ran for 706 yards and eight scores. The senior will be one of the state’s best signal callers this season, with help from senior receiver Bryer Finley (632 yards, 10 TDs) and junior tight end Noah Kobuszewski. Samson Tootle returns for his senior season at running back, and the offensive line returns all five starters; senior Dallas Gardenhire and junior Brodie Empson as the bookends, juniors Brayden Warren and Brogen Brown at guard, and senior Andrew Braughton (second team All-UKC) at center. Only four starters are back on defense, but senior linemen Deyton Mentzer and Kaden Jordan (first team All-UKC) will ensure Seaman is stout up front, and seniors Hayden Cummings and Thomas Osborne will make plays from their linebacker spots.
2024 SCHEDULE
9/6 @ Piper
9/13 @ Shawnee Mission East
9/20 vs Topeka West
9/27 @ Turner
10/4 vs Lansing
10/11 @ Shawnee Heights
10/18 vs Basehor-Linwood
10/25 vs De Soto
United Kansas Conference
2024 OUTLOOK
Sixteen points were all that separated Seaman from a 7-1 regular season record last year, so don’t let last year’s 4-4 mark fool you. This was a very good football team that returns some big time offensive production, led by the do-it-all abilities of Huston at quarterback. He still has the potential to get even better at the position, a scary thought given how prolific he was as a junior. With Huston showing the way behind a veteran offensive line, the Vikings could put up video game numbers on the scoreboard. They’ll have to develop on the defensive side, especially in the secondary, but these Vikings will be United Kansas Conference front-runners and have a chance for an even deeper run in the playoffs.
FROM THE COACH’S HEADSET
“Our goals for the year are to build off of our success in ‘23. We are fortunate to return several key pieces to our team from last year which should help us continue to move in a positive direction for the upcoming season. Expectations will be high for this year’s squad. There is a lot of buzz and excitement for our players and program as we look to continue to build.” – Jared Swofford
–Dan Lucero
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