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Lancers up for encore performance

LaSalle is coming off the greatest season in school history. The Lancers who are the reigning Division II state champions find themselves in the rare position of being the hunted and not the hunter. How they respond to having a target on their back is one this fall’s top questions to be answered.

With eight starters returning on offense LaSalle promises to light up the scoreboard again. The Lancers are loaded on this side of the ball. The only ones that can stop them will be themselves via turnovers.

Josh-Gebing-LaSalle

An inexperienced group on defense will have to grow up fast. LaSalle could find themselves in some very high scoring affairs.

When the smoke settles in October for first year head coach Jim Hilvert the Lancers will be a favorite to win another state title. Hilvert will have this team peaking at the right time even with the unknowns on defense.

Division II, Region 6
2014 RECORD: 14-1, 2-1 GCL South (Division II State Champions)
COACH: Jim Hilvert (0-0 at LaSalle, first year)

HONOR ROLL
Jeremy Larkin, Sr, RB – A magical junior campaign saw Larkin run for 2,584 yards, amass 3,246 all-purpose yards and find the endzone 42 times (38 rushing). He was named the Ohio Division II offensive player of the year for his work. Larkin has verbally committed to Cincinnati.

Drue Chrisman, Sr, P – One of the nation’s top punters Chrisman averaged 41.7 yards on 30 punts as a junior. He earned Second Team All-Ohio accolades for his work. Chrisman has verbally committed to Ohio State.

Thayer Munford, Jr, OT – The 6-foot-5, 325 pound Munford was a Third Team All-Ohio honoree as a sophomore. He has offers from Louisville, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio University.

Luke Doerger, Sr, OG – A beast on the interior offensive line Doerger was a Second Team All-Southwest District pick in ’14. Doerger has verbally committed to Toledo.

Jarrell White, Jr, RB – White proved to be a wonderful compliment to Larkin with his bruising running style. He finished his sophomore campaign with 1,539 yards and 26 touchdowns (24 rushing) on his way to being named Second Team All-Southwest District. He has offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Ohio, Miami (OH) and Toledo.

Nick Watson, Sr, QB – A two-time Second Team All-GCL South selection Watson has thrown for 3,507 yards with 38 passing and 10 rushing touchdowns at the varsity level.

Josh Gebing, Sr, WR – A Second Team All-GCL South selection as a junior Gebing caught 21 passes for 411 yards and four touchdowns.

John Willcox, Sr, DT – The heart and soul of the Lancer defense Wilcox was in on 58 total tackles with 5.5 sacks as a junior. He earned Second Team All-GCL South acclaim for the effort.

Kyle Farwick, Sr, OLB – A tenacious pass rusher Farwick recorded 10.5 sacks with 70 total tackles and two interceptions as a junior. He was a Second Team All-GCL South pick.

OTHER RETURNEES
Jake Junker, Sr, TE – Will be utilized primarily as a blocker but Junker is capable of making the big play as a receiver.

Hayden Jester, Sr, MLB – Rock solid in the middle of the Lancers defense Jester recorded 83 total tackles with 1.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in ’14.

Nick Veite, Sr, K – There were plenty of opportunities for Veite to hone his skills in ’14. He connected on 78/88 extra points and 4/5 field goals for 90 points as a junior.

Coltyn Kearns, Jr, DT – A wide body in the trenches this could be a breakout year for Kearns.

NEWCOMERS
Hilvert is expecting contributions from DB Keitonio Mathes, FB Eddie Owsley and C Nolan Keller who are seniors. Juniors LB Ethan Campbell, WR TraShaun Smith and RB Christian Turner are also expect to make an impact for the Lancers.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(five appearances, 5-4) – 2014 (State Champions), 2010, 2004, 2002, 1985

2015 SCHEDULE
The Lancers won’t have to worry about being road weary. Their longest road trip in ‘15 is out to East Central (IN). That should bode well for LaSalle come playoff time. The regular season schedule will be harder to navigate than the post-season. Getting through the first 10 weeks is this team’s biggest challenge.

TOP 40
LaSalle scored 40 points or more 10 times in ’14. They scored 55 points or more three times in their last six games. The Lancers averaged 47.0 points in five playoff games.

LARKIN RUNS WILD IN THE PLAYOFFS
Jeremy Larkin did some of his best work last season in the playoffs. He ran for 1,037 yards and 15 touchdowns during the post-season.

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