The Lancaster High School football team will look to rebound after a 3-8 season. The Gales haven't had a winning season since 2018.
LANCASTER - The high school football season gets underway in less than two weeks in what should be another exciting year.
With the Ohio High School Athletic Association reducing the playoffs from 16 teams to 12 in each region, qualifying for the postseason could be a little tougher. The playoffs will begin on Oct. 31.
Here is a closer look at the Golden Gales as they prepare for their season opener on Aug. 22.
LANCASTER
Coach: Bryan Schoonover (fifth season)
Conference: Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division
2024 record: 3-8
Key returners: Landon Knoch, Sr, TE/LB; Brody Burke, Jr., QB/DB; Kam Griffith, Jr., TE/DL; Hunter Metz, Sr., RB/LB; Isaiah Sweatte, Jr., RB/DB; Jahmeir Gordon, Jr., RB/DB; Nick Evans, Sr., OL/DL; Mekha Onyedumekwu, Sr., OL/DL; Drew Whitlach, Sr., WR/DB; Kaleb Santini, Sr., WR/DB; Xavier Havlicek, Sr., RB/DB; Braylon Young, Sr., WR/DB; Jack Pompey, Jr., WR/DB.
Key newcomers: Zavier Milliser, Jr., OL/DL; Brody Broeckel, Jr., QB/DB; Ethan Chambers, JR., OL/DL; Nik Brown, Jr., OL/DL; Aaron Daniels, Jr., OL/DL; Quinton Green, Sr., RB/LB; Giovonni Capretta, Jr., RB/LB; Isaac Boyden, Jr., TE/DL; Bryce Fox, Soph., RB/LB.
Coach Schoonover’s take: “I like our senior group because they have played in a lot of games and have experience, so I'm pleased with where we are. They are competitive, and they like to get after it. You want everything to be player-driven as much as possible, and I think they have done a good job of embracing that. Our practice and prep have been good. Guys have to do their job, focus in, and understand what the process is. Every play, good or bad, they have to wipe it clean because the next play is coming. In that moment, they must be able to trust their training and execute their one-on-one battles effectively. If we can do those things, you have a chance to win games.”
What to expect: The Gales are coming off a 3-8 season, but they very easily could have had a much better record; but weren’t able to finish off games. The Gales return several key starters on offense, including three-year starting quarterback Brody Burke, junior running back Jahmeir Gordon, and tight end Kam Griffith. The offense has shown flashes that it can move the ball on the ground and through the air. The key will be eliminating mistakes. Lancaster has not had a winning season since 2018. If the Gales expect to do that, they will need to get off to a start to the season. Confidence is a huge factor, so it will be paramount to have some success early.
Schedule
Aug. 22: at Hilliard Darby
Aug. 29: Dublin Scioto
Sept 5: Marysville
Sept. 12: Teays Valley
Sept. 19: at Groveport
Sept. 26: at Pickerington Central
Oct. 3: Logan
Oct. 10: at Reynoldsburg
Oct. 17: at Canal Winchester
Oct. 24: Newark
Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter twil2323.
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: H.S. Football Preview: A Closer Look at the Lancaster Golden Gales
Category: General Sports
