By Chris Parker
Lockwood found success in its first year as an 8-Man football program going 7-4 overall with the season ending in the district semifinals.
This year, the Tigers return eight total starters and 15 lettermen.
The returning starters include: Nash McGuire (junior running back/wide receiver), Hank Eggerman (junior running back/wide receiver), Kameron Burton (senior offensive lineman), Blake Cossins (senior offensive lineman), Rachel Baugh (junior kicker), Logan Wells (sophomore defensive end), Nick Thieman (sophomore utility) and Eli Kerr (senior quarterback)
McGuire was named second-team all-region running back and honorable mention defensive back last year.
“Nash had a great sophomore season that ended with 390 rushing yards, 216 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns,” Lockwood head coach Clay Lasater said. “Nash has worked hard to get stronger in the off-season and I’m excited to see what he can do in his junior season.”
Eggerman earned second-team all-region defensive back and wide receiver honors along with being named academic all-state.
“Hank is a very smart disciplined player with great hands,” Lasater said. “He will be one of the guys we spread the ball around to as well as add depth to our defensive backfield. Hank was an all-area selection as a sophomore with 240 yards and four touchdowns in his sophomore season. Hank will be looking to carry a little bigger load in his junior season.”
Burton was second-team all-region offensive line.
“Kameron is a strong kid who really developed into a good lineman for us last fall,” Lasater said. “We are excited to have Kameron back anchoring the strong side of our line.”
Cossins was honorable mention all-region offensive line and academic all-state.
“Kameron is a strong kid who really developed into a good lineman for us last fall,” Lasater said. “We are excited to have Kameron back anchoring the strong side of our line.”
Baugh was a first-team all-region kicker as a sophomore.
“Rachel kicked several extra points last fall and was really accurate with her directional kicking,” Lasater said. “She has become an important piece of our puzzle and I can’t brag on her mental and physical toughness enough. She will look to add leg strength this off-season and return as our starting kicker in her junior season.”
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Wells was first-team all-area at defensive end and academic all-state.
“Logan had a tremendous year last fall in his first varsity football experience,” Lasater said. “He was an all-district first team defensive end in his first year as a starter. I’m excited to see how he can build on his experience from last year and become a force defensively his senior year.”
Thieman earned second-team all-region honors at linebacker as a freshman.
“Nick had a great year in his freshman season by recording 92 tackles,” Lasater said. “I am excited to see what he can do in his sophomore season.”
Kerr was the region’s Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-region defensive back.
Cael McMillan (senior linebacker), Henry Schnelle (junior quarterback), Dylan Snider (senior running back/linebacker), Kamon Cooper (senior tight end), Dalton Horton (junior linebacker), Justin Aldridge (senior linebacker), Buster Spinks (junior linebacker), Kaden Hillier (senior defensive tackle) and Logan Pittsenbarger (sophomore) also return to the roster.
Lasater on McMillan: “Cael really developed into a solid defensive end last fall. I look for Cael to stand out as a pass rusher this fall.”
Lasater on Schnelle: “Henry will look to rebound from a Week 1 injury that cost him his entire sophomore season. Henry has worked hard to add strength and speed during the off-season.”
Lasater on Snider: “Dylan is coming out for his first year of football but has been a major contributor on the baseball field and is a smart athletic kid who will improve the depth of our football team.”
Lasater on Cooper: “Kamon is a big kid and very intelligent. I look for Kamon to compete for time at tight end/tackle and to give us a solid pass rush from his defensive end position.”
Lasater on Horton: “Dalton is a physical kid who will compete for defensive time at linebacker. Dalton really improved as the year went on last fall, and I think Dalton will be ready to step into a varsity linebacker position.”
Lasater on Aldridge: “Justin spent time rotating at linebacker this past fall. I look for Justin to take a step forward as a leader in his senior season and help fill a hole we will have in our Line backing corps due to the graduation of Landon Stump.”
Lasater on Spinks: “Buster had some highlight reel type runs last fall in his first year playing high school football. I’m excited to see what Buster can do this fall after gaining a full season of experience.”
Lasater on Hillier: “Kaden really worked to solidify a starting spot as our nose guard last fall. As the season went on, we found our defense really leaning on Kaden and his motor. Kaden plays the nose guard position exactly how you want. He is quick, aggressive and his motor never stops.”
Lasater on Pittsenbarger: “Logan is a solid tackler and a very dependable player. Logan developed into a kid who could hold down one side of the field as a corner last fall. Logan has really developed into a strong kid over the last several months. I look for Logan to help out defensively at the varsity level in his sophomore season.”
Newcomers this year include: Tristan Anderson (junior running back), Myles Neely (freshman offensive line), Bryson Brown (freshman running back), Owen Patterson (freshman linebacker), Logan Jenkins (freshman offensive line), Luke Baugh (freshman offensive line) and Ryan Wells (freshman offensive line).
Offensively, Lockwood will be versatile.
“Our offensive strength will be having a handful of guys to spread the ball around to,” Lasater said. “I hope we can make it difficult on other 8-man teams to defend multiple guys.”
Defensively, the secondary will be a strength.
“Our defensive strength will be in having a couple defensive backs that I hope can lock down opponent’s receivers,” Lasater said. “We started a freshman middle linebacker last fall in Nik Thieman and I look forward to seeing how much he improves after getting thrown into the fire as a freshman.”
Lockwood will host Liberal, Greenfield and Jasper for a jamboree on Aug. 19. The Tigers open the regular season on Aug. 26 at home against Archie.
“We are going to be competing in our second year of 8-Man football. We are excited to see how we can build on our first season of 8-Man football,” Lasater said. “We have several returning players and we are excited to get the pads back on.”
