SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
NEWTON, Kan. — The Newton High School football program is under new leadership heading into 2024, as Taylor Counts takes over.
"You always talk about the history of Newton football," Counts said. "Back when they were really physical and tough and other schools didn't want to play them. However long that takes to get back to that, I'm here for the ride. We are going to work our tails off to get Newton back to that."
Counts is pleased with how practice has gone thus far in his first year.
"We've been preaching we want to play fast and we want to play physical," Counts said. "We've got to practice that way too if we're wanting to play that way and we definitely have so far."
The Railers have roughly 40 guys out, as far as sophomores through seniors go.
"We don't have a lot of players," Counts said. "We've got to be in some dang good shape, so we're going to practice into shape."
Counts has been pleased with his team showing up to practice at 5 a.m.
"The kids have been showing up ready to go at 4:45 every morning," Counts said.
Counts is a Salina native and played at Salina Central before playing collegiately at Pittsburg State University, where he was apart of the 2011 national championship team.
"I actually never played against Newton when I was in high school," Counts said. "People think I'm crazy when I say that, but I never got to play them, so that will be fun to play Salina Central in Salina this year."
Counts is really looking forward to playing at Fischer Field for the home opener on Sept. 13.
"I'm excited as heck honestly," Counts said. "I think Fischer Field is such a unique place. People still show up in the town of Newton, even though there hasn't been a lot of winning in so many years. I can't wait to see what this place looks like when we do start winning some games. We've got some excited traditions we want to get in place and start. I think we can get that to be a place where you don't want to come there and play."
The Railers offensively will be led by former Derby and Friends University quarterback Dan Dawdy. He will serve as an offensive coordinator for the first time in his coaching career.
"He's a young energetic guy that will be really good for our team," Counts said. "We've got the option of going really fast, or we can slow it down if we need to. We've got a good group of skill guys, so really looking forward to seeing it all in place."
The Railers' defense will get up in your face and defend on the corners.
"We're going to bring a 3-3 stack," Counts said. "I think it's kind of that organized chaos of defense. You'll have guys blitzing from who knows where. We're going to be physical, that's for sure. The kids have been catching onto it fast."
NEWTON RAILERS SCHEDULE
Sept. 6 @ Maize South
Sept. 13 ANDOVER CENTRAL
Sept. 20 EISENHOWER
Sept. 27 @ Goddard
Oct. 4 @ Salina Central
Oct. 11 ANDOVER
Oct. 18 @ Hutchinson
Oct. 25 ARK CITY