Dewitt running over the competition in helping LV forward
LAKEVILLE — Laville’s Lancers are having an incredible run — not just this season — but in the last decade.
Since 2014, Will Hostrawser’s Lancers have won no less than six games, been in the sectional final game six times, winning twice.
The last four years have been especially successful with the Lancers enjoying the top 10 spotlight for much of those seasons.
At 10-0 this year, ranked No. 2 in 2A, the Lancers are hoping for a win Friday night to move on in sectional play against No. 6 (2A) ranked Andrean. One player has had a huge impact on the Laville success.
Senior running back Paul Dewitt has burst on the scene in his senior season rushing for 1,448 yards, a staggering 23 touchdowns, averaging 8 yards a carry. Dewitt himself will tell you that his style is simple. “I just lower my head and go as far forward as I can go,” said Dewitt. “I’m a power runner. I’m definitely not a speed back. I’d just rather run through people.”
Dewitt had to wait his turn to run through people behind several talented backs for the Lancers over the past few years.
“I just started getting my full time varsity reps the end of last year,” he said. “I had to wait behind two guys. It’s going good now. It upsets you a little bit (waiting to play) but you have to wait and pay your dues. It works out in the end.”
Dewitt’s persistence has been rewarded with an exclamation point. Paul has had nine rushing touchdowns in just the past two games. Each sectional contests.
“It makes me feel like I’m doing my job,” he said of the string of scores. “Like the work I’ve done is paying off.”
“We are doing things here at (Laville) we haven’t done in a long time,” said Dewitt. “We’re getting our names here forever. It feels good to be a part of that.”
Andrean was the nemesis for the Lancers a year ago, putting them out of the playoffs at Andrean. This week the 59’ers will have to come to Lakeville to play.
“Their passing game will be a problem,” said Dewitt of Friday’s challenge. “We’ve worked a lot on that this week.”