By Chris Parker
New Heights Christian football posted a second straight six-win season in 2024 going 6-5 overall.
This season, the Cougars will have almost a completely new look with just one starter back on each side of the ball.
Offensively, junior Max Long returns on the offensive line. He will be key for New Heights’ ball control offense.
“We are a young inexperienced offensive unit with only one returning starter at right tackle,” New Heights head coach John Lucas said. “We hope to be able to run the football and throw as needed. We will be a ball control offense with sound fundamentals.”
Daniel Schroer (sophomore), Jet Bender (sophomore) and Wes Williams (senior) will be on the offensive line with Long.
Corbin Cronenwett (senior) and Caleb Kaufman (freshman) will both see time at quarterback.
David Williams (sophomore) and Cobie Eichman (freshman) will be at wide receiver and tight end, respectively. Williams will also see time at running back.
The Cougars will also turn to Cronenwett and Aiden Gibson (sophomore) to run the ball.
“David Williams (is) very athletic kid with good speed who’s learning to carry the football,” Lucas said. “He has the skills to be a good running back.”
Defensively, the lone returning starter is Cronenwett at linebacker.
“Corbin Cronenwett (is) an exceptional athlete who has the abilities to be a standout on that side of the football,” Lucas said.
Bender and Eichman will join him in the middle of the defense.
Long, Williams, Schroer, Keegan Thomas (sophomore) and Madden Jensen (freshman) will be on the defensive line.
Look for Williams, Gibson and Kaufman in the secondary.
This group will need to work well as a unit to find success.
“We have to be a team tackle defense working together to get two to three hats on the football on every play,” Lucas said.
New Heights opens the season on Aug. 29 at Rich Hill.
“We want to be a fundamentally sound football team on both side of the ball,” Lucas said. “We want to enjoy and have fun playing the game of football.”
