By Chris Parker
Lockwood football has won back-to-back district titles with a 20-5 overall record the past two seasons. Four of the five losses have come to two-time defending unbeaten state champion Archie.
This season, nine players who earned some form of postseason honor return.
On offense, the line will be a source of strength led by returning first-team all-state senior Miles Neely. Neely had 56 total tackles with 4.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries as a junior on defense.
“Miles is a very intelligent kid who has now added strength to his game,” Lockwood head coach Clay Lasater said. “Miles moved into a starting position as a freshman and then earned all-state honors as a sophomore and then first-team all-state as a junior. I look for Miles to be a more physical player in this senior year and a more complete lineman. I am excited that we bring back a player with Miles’s technique, intelligence and now experience.”
Fellow senior Luke Baugh joins Neely on the offensive line and also serves as the team’s kicker. He earned all-district honors at both positions.
“Luke was a part time starter as a sophomore and then really blossomed this past fall as a junior with a great season,” Lasater said. “I look for Luke to be a leader for our team in his senior year and leading our offensive line with the company of fellow senior offensive linemen Miles Neely and Ryan Wells.”
Wells will serve as Lockwood’s center in his senior year.
“Ryan is a big, strong kid who works very hard and is extremely coachable,” Lasater said. “I’m excited about his return to the middle of our offensive line. He really grew throughout the season last year as a junior. He will be a key for us offensively this fall.”
Owen Patterson will be in the middle of the defense as a senior linebacker coming off first-team all-state honors. He was also named the area defensive player of the year. Patterson will also play running back on offense. The junior had 131 tackles with 11 sacks on defense while rushing for 466 yards and eight touchdowns on offense as a sophomore.
“Owen is a very athletic kid who has a great motor,” Lasater said. “Owen is relentless at getting to the football. I’m excited to have Owen back to lead our defense.”
Roper Gray also earned all-area honors at linebacker as a sophomore behind 56 total tackles and three interceptions.
“Roper started at linebacker last fall and will be a leader of our defense this year,” Lasater said. “Roper is a great open field tackler and has a very high football IQ.”
Elijah Beard was a first-team all-area defensive tackle last season as a sophomore with 42 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He will also factor in on the offensive line this season.
“Elijah had a big year last fall at defensive tackle,” Lasater said. “I think Elijah could potentially fill a big role on the offensive line replacing graduate Reed Gastell as well as anchor our interior defensive line.”
Junior Talan Richter is poised for a big season on the defensive line coming off a first-team all-conference defensive end selection. He had 97 total tackles with 5.5 sacks last season.
“Talan is a smart kid who has a great motor,” Lasater said. “I really look for Talan to have a breakout season defensively this fall.”
Juniors Landry Ogden and Sean Contreras will be two-way forces for Lockwood.
Ogden was a second-team all-area honoree as both a quarterback and defensive back. He had 639 passing yards and 485 rushing yards with 23 total touchdowns last season.
“Landry will return to his strong safety position where he started as a freshman and sophomore,” Lasater said. “He will also return as starting quarterback from last year. Landry missed several games with a shoulder injury but could have a big year for us this fall.”
Contreras earned first-team all-area honors as a defensive back, wide receiver and returner last season. He caught 14 passes for 236 yards while rushing 20 times for 310 yards. Defensively, Contreras had 50 tackles and five interceptions.
“Sean is a very athletic kid who was a dynamic wide receiver last fall and has started every game at safety since he was a freshman,” Lasater said. “We will look to get the ball in Sean’s hands more this fall with the graduation of Nik Thieman. Sean will have the ability to score from anywhere on the field. He was an all-state track kid last spring and we will look to use his quickness next fall more offensively.”
Leo Smith returns for his senior season on the defensive line.
“Leo is a kid who is picking up on things really quickly over this past season and I am excited to see him compete for time on both the offensive and defensive lines this fall,” Lasater said. “Leo has a good motor and could have a huge this year on the defensive side of the ball.”
Koen Lilienkamp will add depth at both linebacker and tight end.
“Koen is a very hard worker,” Lasater said. “Koen has really worked hard in the off-season to get stronger and improve his hands. Koen could be a huge part of special teams this fall as well.”
Oliver Beohne will be in line for a bigger role running the ball as a sophomore after rushing for 473 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman.
Newcomers to watch include Silas Huber (junior LB), Nathaniel Dart (junior DL), Reed Spinks (junior DL), Travis Burtner (sophomore safety), Drew Pittsenbarger (sophomore safety) and Alfred Douglas (sophomore OL).
Lasater on Huber: “Silas is playing high school football for the first time this fall and will add speed and physicality at linebacker and fullback.”
Lasater on Dart: “Nathaniel has improved a ton this off season and will look to compete for time on the defensive line.”
Lasater on Spinks: “Reed will be an impact player for us this fall. Reed is back after not playing football his sophomore year and is a strong athletic kid who will make an immediate impact on the defensive line.”
Lasater on Burtner: “Travis is an athletic kid who tackles well in open field. Travis will push for a starting defensive position and will add depth at running back as well.”
Lasater on Pittsenbarger: “Drew will compete for varsity time at safety and possibly and outside linebacker as well.”
Lasater on Douglas: “Alfred really improved during his freshman season and will compete for varsity time at both offensive guard as well as defensive tackle.”
Tucker Spain, Johnny Spain, Malachi Bynum, Taylen Watson and Cody Stefan are all freshmen who could impact varsity this season.
Lockwood will jamboree with Liberal, Greenfield and Jasper at Greenfield on Aug. 22. The Tigers open the regular season on Aug. 29 at two-time defending state champion Archie.
