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2023 Snapshot: Lawrenceburg

Lawrenceburg RB Teagan Bennett (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

They have been a model of consistency over the past dozen seasons. Lawrenceburg has had winning streaks of 11 games or more five times in the last six campaigns with two trips to the state title game. The Tigers still have one more feat to cross off of their checklist and that is winning a state championship. With a strong returning cast this team has an excellent opportunity to bring home the trophy that has eluded the program for the last 45 years.

“This team has a ton of potential to be really good. We have speed, size and strength to be special up front on both sides of the ball. I really like our skill guys. They are playmakers. We must stay healthy and get better each week. If we do that, we’ll have a great year.,” head coach Ryan Knigga states.

Lawrenceburg will be physical, fast and smart. The Tigers have very few flaws but depth and experience will have to be developed as the season moves on. If they accomplish the latter two objectives this squad will be tough to bring down when the Indiana playoffs start in Week 10.

Class 3A, Sectional 31
2022 RECORD: 13-2, 3-1 EIAC 4A Division
COACH: Ryan Knigga (112-37 at Lawrenceburg, 12 years; 112-37 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Teagan Bennett, Sr, RB/DB – A tough as nails runner who will carry this team at times. Bennett was named IFCA Class 3A Jr. All-State after scampering for 1,410 and 18 touchdowns as a junior. He heads into his senior year with 2,746 all-purpose yards, 2,299 yards rushing and 38 touchdowns on the ground in his career. Bennett has offers from Denison and Ohio Northern.

Noah Knigga, Jr, TE/DE/OLB – It’s just a matter of time before the offers start pouring in for this relentless 6-foot-2, 203-pound defender. As a sophomore, Knigga tallied 87 total tackles, had seven sacks, 17.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, one interception, 10 receptions and 130 receiving yards on his way to Class 3A All-EIAC (DE) honors. He heads into his junior year with 156 total tackles, 12.0 sacks, 31.0 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and four takeaways (three FRs, one INT) at the varsity level.
Player Spotlight: Noah Knigga

Lawrenceburg DE/LB Noah Knigga (photo by Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

OTHER RETURNEES
Logan Ahaus, Sr, QB – Should be oozing with confidence after helping guide the Tigers to the state championship game in his first year as a starter at quarterback. Ahaus thew for 1,135 yards and 12 in 2022. He has an offer from Ohio Dominican.

Ryan Hinthorne, Jr, K/P – What a special teams weapon. Hinthorne averaged 44.0yards on 27 punts, placed five punts inside the opponents 20-yard-line with a long punt of 57 yards as a junior. He also has connected on 102/114 extra points and 5/9 field goals for 124 kicking points in his career.

Joey Cavanaugh, Sr, OL – The leader and anchor of an offensive line that paved the way for the Tigers to run for 246.0 yards per game (3,690 yards rushing overall) and 50 touchdowns in 2022.

Lawrenceburg OL Joey Cavanaugh (photo by: Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

Zavyn Slayback, Sr, WR/DB – Has a knack for coming up with the ball. Slayback had a team high six takeaways (four INTs, two FRs) and to total tackles in 2022. He has an offer from Rose-Hulman.

Hayden Saylor, Sr, WR/DB – An excellent option for the Tigers offense catching and running the football. Saylor found the end zone seven times (four rush, three rec), had 236 yards rushing and 15 receptions for 219 yards as a junior.

Brayden Combs, Sr, WR/DB – A valuable asset in all three phases of the game. Combs racked up 454 all-purpose yards (169 rush, 140 rec, 140 ret), had 13 receptions, five touchdowns (three rush, two rec), 19 total tackles and one interception as a junior.

McLean Manford, Sr, OL/DL – Like Cavanaugh, Manford will be a huge factor on the offensive line for the Tigers. He played a big role in the Tigers finding the end zone 64 times (50 rush, 14 rec) on offense in 2022.              

Jake Gourley, Sr, TE/DE – Showed great promise in limited action as a junior with 10 total tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery in eight games. Gourley is poised for a breakout year.

NEWCOMERS
Seniors OL Sylas Craig, DL Drake Rorabacher, juniors WR Emrick Engel, OL/DL Noah Redar, RB/OLB D’Kari Mucker, RB Landon Cornett, TE/OLB Cole Holder, OL/MLB Bryce Hedrick, along with sophomores OL Zachary Nagele, LB Qain Foster, MLB/DB Kinser Pope, DB Isiah Williams and freshman DB Crue Gilmour are all fighting for snaps and there shots at breaking into the starting lineup.

PLAYOFF HISTORY (84-43)
Sectional Champion (21) – 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2012, 2005, 1999, 1998, 1992, 1991, 1988, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1981, 1980, 1979, 1978, 1976 & 1975.
Regional Champion (six) – 2022, 2016, 1985, 1984, 1978 & 1975.
Semi-State Champion (three) – 2022, 2016 & 1985.
State Champion (two) – 1978 & 1975.

2023 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/18/23 – EAST CENTRAL (13-2 IN 2022) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/25/23 – at Taylor (OH)(4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/01/23 – at Milan (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/08/23 – at Greensburg (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/15/23 – FRANKLIN COUNTY (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/22/23 – BATESVILLE (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/29/23 – at Rushville (2-8)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/06/23 – at Connersville (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/13/23 – SOUTH DEARBORN (7-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/20/23 – TBD: IHSAA Sectional 31 Playoffs

2023 Active Leaders: Southeastern Indiana

 

 

 

 

 

 

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