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A closer look at the Lancaster Golden Gales

tabnews August 18, 2024
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LANCASTER – The high school football season begins in less than two weeks and it should be another exciting year.

Since the Ohio High School Athletic Association expanded the playoffs several years ago to 16 teams from each region that qualified for the postseason, there is an excellent chance for even more teams to play in the postseason. The playoffs begin on November 1st.

Here's a closer look at how the Gales are preparing for their season opener on August 23rd.

More: Dirty and mean: Lancaster has a first-class first training game against Watterson and Grove City

More: Here are 10 local high school football players to keep an eye on as football season approaches

LANCASTER

Trainer: Bryan Schoonover (fourth season)

Conference: Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division

Record 2022: 5-6

Important returnees: Conor Christopher, Sr., OL/DL; Gavin Framer, Sr., OL/DL; Seth Carson, Sr., OL/DL; Cody McCoy, Sr., QB/LB; Brody Burke, Jr., QB/DB; Kam Griffith, Jr., TE/DL; Kevin Monohon, Sr., TE/DL; Kelton Fisher, Sr., WR/DB; Adley Karnes, Sr., OL/DL; Davis Thomas, Sr., TE/LB; Caiel Woody, Sr., RB/DL; Isaiah Sweatte, Jr., RB/DB.

Important new additions: Aaron Banna, Sr., OL/DL; Zavier Havlicek, Jr., RB/DB; Nick Evans, Jr., OL/DL; Drew Whitlach, Jr., WR/DB; Kaleb Santini, Jr., WR/DB; Braylon Young, Jr., WR/DB; Jahmier Gordon, Ryder Smith, Soph., WR/DB; Jack Pompey, Soph., WR/DB; Mekha Onyedumekwu, Jr., OL/DL; Lancon Knoch, Jr., TE/LB.

Coach Schoonover’s opinion: “We need to develop our depth quickly and our younger players who are going to play a lot need to develop quickly. We lost a lot of talent last year and we have one player back in Brody Burke, so everyone else will be new. Some of them played in juniors, but Friday night will be different. Defensively, we need to replace players who graduated, so for us it's just about getting those young players through quickly and finding depth in places. I like that this team likes to compete. They're excited and want to compete and do good things. This is a group of guys that work hard and when we practice, they want to compete, so those are things you can build on and work through.”

What to expect: A year removed from a 5-5 regular season and a heartbreaking loss in the first round of the playoffs, the Gales look to build on that momentum. The offensive line looks to be a strength with three returning senior starters and junior quarterback Brody Burke. Lancaster has several playmakers who have the potential to make an impact. As always, an early win is important to build confidence, and the fact that Lancaster plays six home games should be a big help in that regard. The Gales haven't had a winning season since 2018, but they definitely have the tools to do so this year.

schedule

August 23 Akron North

August 30 Wayne Valley (NJ)

September 6 in Marysville

13 September in Teays Valley

September 20, Groveport

September 27, Pickerington Central

October 4th in Logan

October 11 Reynoldsburg

18 October Winchester Canal

October 25th in Newark

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Reach him at 740-689-5150 or email him at [email protected] for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.

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