Lancers embracing the move up to 2A
LAKEVILLE — Every football coach, every year, knows there will be changes from the previous season. The schedule stays relatively the same, but players graduate or don’t go out, newbies show up, and you hope the returnees are stronger/wiser/ better, but you never know for sure. Despite the new vibe that comes with each season, the competitive juices will flow just like they always do.
However, a big change does occur periodically, but not for everyone. Due to enrollment numbers and the Success Factor, the IHSAA tinkers with school classifications every academic year and LaVille’s football program is one of the schools affected beginning this fall.
“Moving to Class 2A will change our landscape for the next years ahead of us,” said head coach Will Hostrawser, who is 46-23 in his six years at the helm, all at the Class A level. “I look forward to the competition.”
LaVille’s reclassification was due to enrollment numbers. The school has six more students than the largest Class A school. Not only will the Lancers make the move up, but Hoosier North Athletic Conference foe and two-time defending state champ Pioneer will play in 2A (Success Factor) and will be joined by former Northern State Conference
rival, Bremen, in the same sectional as LV. Those three will join Delphi, Lewis Cass, Manchester, Rochester and Wabash to form Sectional 34.
“Pioneer is still the team to beat (in the HNAC),” Hostrawser added.
Fortunately, the Lancers have plenty of good players back in the fold for the 2019 season, including eight returnees on both sides of the ball. LV was the only team to score in double digits against the state-champ Panthers last year.
Returning letterwinners include seniors Robby Pope (all-HNAC RB/LB), Kolby Watts (RB, 516 yds, 8 TDs, offensive MVP), Jimmy Fisher (WR, DB), Jake Martin (OL, DL), Alexis Albarado (DL), Connor Manges (DB), and juniors Andrew Dill (all-HNAC RB/DB, 26 rec, 5 TDs, DB), Ayden Doyle (QB, 1,292 yds passing, 11 TDs, LB), Evan Bettcher (RB. LB), Leyton Czarnecki (TE, DB, P, K), James Bettcher (OL), and Tyler Studon (DL).
Key newcomers include juniors Nathan Watts (LB), Matthew Brown (OL, FB, LB), sophomore Trey Brown (OL, DL) and freshmen AJ Bedock (OL), Paul DeWitt (RB, WR, LB, DB), Ross Wagner (QB, DB), Garrett Wagner (OL, FB, DL), Noah Richhart (FB, LB), Owen Smith (WR, RB), and Collin Allen (TE, LB, DE).
Assistant coaches areCraig Groves, Brandon Brown, Tim Davis, Issac Eash, Brenner Cruse, Nick Roseland, John Mumm, Joe Mumm, Frank Borton, and Darren Sauer.
“We will be young in numerous positions,” Hostrawser continued. “We will be as good as our line play on both sides of the ball. We do have a large number of skilled players though. We want to play physical and with emotion each and every Friday night regardless of the opponent.
“In order for us to have a successful season, our players must maintain an edge, play physical and with a purpose. This will be the expectation daily. We want to get better each and every week and playing our best football at the end of the season.”
Bremen is back on the regular season schedule for the first time since 2014 and will host the Lancers in the season opener Aug. 23. The other non-conference contest will be at Glenn in Week 7.
“We look forward to the opportunity to play such quality non-conference opponents,” concluded Hostrawser.