Scouting Practice: Topeka West Chargers Finish Day One

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>August 14 was the day that high school football coaches in Kansas have been waiting for. Coaches across the Sunflower State have been fine-tuning practice schedules for Day One for at least a week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first day of football practice is in the books at Topeka West. Head Coach Trey Parker and his staff checked out equipment and put athletes through the motions to get ready for the 2023 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone was at the practice to get a first glimpse of Charger prospects before they put on their helmets and pads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1183323' first='Jace' last='Banks']</strong>, ATH, 5'9”, 175, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks is perhaps the most athletic prospect on the team. He has a huge wing span and a big vertical. His explosiveness makes him an option at running back or receiver. His toughness and ball skills translate well to the defensive backfield. Banks is projected to be a starter at safety or cornerback when the depth chart rolls out for Week One.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vince Redmon</strong>, OL, 6'0”, 280, ‘24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Redmon is a low-gravity lineman who can play center or guard. He is expected to be the starter at Center for the Chargers. He is quick for his size and showed up to practice in arguably the best shape of any of the West “big men.” He looked good in the agility drills I watched. The best part of his game right now is his run blocking, but that is often the case for interior linemen at the high school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trace Puthoff</strong>, OL, 6'5”, 295, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Topeka West could be really solid up front this season. Puthoff is a big man who was picking up his teammates during what I would call a pretty quiet first practice. He has the frame to be a college lineman, but he needs to improve his upper-body strength. His measurables in the weight room could stand to be improved, especially when you compare him to his peers at other area schools. He is a raw talent who needs to decide how dedicated to the game he is.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adrian Cooper</strong>, OL, 6'5”, 272, ‘25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper is really lean for an offensive lineman but he is agile and strong. He could end up being a starting guard for West and I for sure would not want to be a defender in his way when he is asked to pull. Cooper needs to work on his discipline on the field and prove that he can be counted on in crucial situations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The cupboard at West is well stocked as the other three players who caught my eye during the first practice of the season were all freshmen. Put the names <strong>Noel Bailon</strong>, <strong>Prince Lassitter</strong>, and <strong>Zekarh Shaw</strong> in your memory bank, as those three passed the early eye test. All three of them were impressive and will be added to my list of area athletes to watch evolve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->