Seaman emphasizes legacy, teamwork ahead of 2026 season

TOPEKA (KSNT) — After going 3-5 in the regular season in 2025, with a round one loss to Liberal in the playoffs, Seaman is looking to turn the page this season. The Vikes return 14 total players this season, eight on the offense and six on the defense. Head coach Jared Swafford says he expects his team to play aggressively on both sides of the ball. "We're a very aggressive team on both sides of the ball, that's kind of how we like to handle things," Swafford told 27 Sports. "We're going to throw some different things at people, but we're going to be the same aggressive, fun, air-it-out type of offense, and the same thing on the defensive side." "Just [be] aggressive, obviously. Be fast to the ball, everything like that," Bryson Fehr added, a senior linebacker for Seaman. "Just work as a team out there." Working as a team is exactly what the Vikes know they need to do to have a successful season. "We seem to just really enjoy playing with each other," senior offensive lineman Henry Reichart said. "That's also going to help us improve, and just the want to fight for each other, that's going to be fun to experience." Fehr echoes Reichart's statement. "I want the team to do better, anything I can do to help the team," Fehr said. While everyone from the coaching staff to the players want the team to perform better on the field, Swafford expects the same level of effort off the field. "Legacy... legacy goes well beyond wins and losses," Swafford told 27 Sports. "It's about how we handle ourself in the classroom, when they go to Petro, when they go to McDonald's, when they're walking the halls... Your wins and losses are going to come if you continue to do the right things every single day." The Vikes will open up their 2026 campaign on Sept. 4 against De Soto. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Video will be attached following 27 News at 10. For more sports news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.