High School Football Previews: Towanda-Circle Thunderbirds

TOWANDA, Kan. (KSNW) — It is day two of the high school football preseason period, and our season previews continue with Towanda-Circle High School. The Thunderbirds are looking to get back above .500 after going 2 and 7 in 2023.

Two seasons ago, the team finished with back-to-back winning records for the first time since the 1980s. To get back in the winning column, the athletes are focusing on the little details in practice.

Leadership will also be valuable. The team lost about 17 athletes to graduation and returned just a handful of seniors. The upperclassmen have stepped up to lead by example.

“The goals that we really want to hit on, just being better than we were yesterday. If we had a bad practice, you know, make the next practice better. If we had a bad game, make the next game better. And just hopefully, with our preparation and our effort, we can always come out on top,” explained Circle Senior running back Westin Rose.

“We have a great talent that showed us ‘think if we can get better as a team, get closer as a team,’ I think we can go far,” added senior wide receiver Gabe Duncan. “I think our DB wide receiver is the best person we got. I think we truly have some great guys there. A lot of talent. I truly think that they can help. I think they’re going to lead our defense, and I think they’re going to lead our offense, and they’re truly going to make a difference in games.”

Eight-year Head Coach Logan Clothier says many sophomores have stepped up to fill valuable roles on the team and are ready to get their start on varsity. This roster has a lot of talent, but Coach Clothier says they can’t rely on that alone to get them deep into the playoffs. He says execution is going to be crucial, and they’ll be taking things one week at a time.

“We saw how good our league is. And so, every week, you got to show up. Week in and week out, and just come ready to play. And I think last year, we were at times, but last year, our kids really got better throughout the year. And we’re playing our best football at the end of the year. So, hopefully, we’re not waiting weeks to get started. We’re starting right now. When I first got here eight years ago, we were focused on getting stronger in the weight room, and now we’ve been doing that. Our kids understand how important that is. They understand the seven on sevens. But now, just to be a playoff team. To get deep into the playoffs, you have to be able to pay attention to details and focus on those things,” said Coach Clothier.

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