When John Heath took over as head coach for the Patriots his main goal was to “bring a sense of family to this program. Bringing that sense of family helps me instill my calling for helping kids to learn how to become the best versions of themselves.”
Tonight the Parkway South football team kicks off its second season under Heath. The Patriots open up their season against the Parkway Central Colts, looking to get revenge after a 49-28 loss last season.
“One of the biggest questions this season is how our new offensive line will form after 4 out of the 5 graduated last season,” said senior August Johansen.
Junior offensive lineman Grant Williams remarked that he thinks Andy Hertlein will make a big impact this season.
“Andy Hertlein has made big improvements this off-season,” Williams said.
Throughout the off-season Hertlein has secured four D1 football offers as the lone returning starter on the offensive line. Hertlein will be surrounded by juniors Carter Bielicke, Jesse Webb, and Williams, as well as sophomore Ryan Hertlein
After nearly a decade of losing seasons, the Patriots went 5-5 in 2022. However the next year they had another losing season falling to 2-8. Parkway South is looking for a bounce-back season. Last year senior linebacker August Johansen led the team in sacks with 3, as well as being second on the team in total tackles with 56. Wide receiver Dashon Davis led the team in receiving yards (606) and touchdowns (7), and both players were named all-conference.
When Davis was asked about how he was able to achieve this he said “Every day at practice we work as hard as we can, and perfect our craft, as well as protect the PS.”
Over the past two years, since Coach Heath has taken over the program, players said they are seeing big changes in the energy surrounding the team itself.
Coach Heath has coined the term ‘Protecting the PS’.
“This meaning is different for everyone. For me it is all about, representing everything that has come before us and recognizing that it is our time to hold the rope and protect this program, and do what I can to make it better for the next guy,” Heath said.
According to Johansen, “the buy into the program [has completely changed]. Everyone on the team truly wants to get better.”
One game that many Patriots have circled on their calendar is Parkway West. Last year the game against West was a defensive showdown in which South was ultimately defeated, 7-0.
“I am most excited for Parkway West because I feel that last year we almost had them. We were so close to beating them. I’m ready to spin back this year and catch the W,” said Williams.
However, Johansen came with a different perspective, saying, “ obviously the West game is huge, but every game is circled as it’s one day closer to the end goal of state.”
