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2024 Snapshot: Lockland

Lockland QB/DB Damien Dawson (photo from X: @DamienDawson24)

What an enigma Lockland football has been in recent years. The Panthers have made the playoffs in each of the four seasons, yet they ended those campaigns with losing records. The last two times the program finished over .500 (2019 & 2017) they failed to make the postseason. The quest this season is to make the playoffs for a school record fifth consecutive year. Once Lockland gets there it looks to end the dubious distinction of having the longest current streak of playoff appearances in Ohio without a victory – 11. Head coach Mike Tudor couldn’t ask for more aspiring goals to motivate his Panthers with.

Lockland will be led by a very experienced and speedy group at the skills positions. The Panthers return players the were responsible for 100% of their yards (2,009) and touchdowns rushing (21) in 2023. One of Tudor’s biggest concern’s is the offensive line and finding enough depth and size to give Lockland’s playmakers ample opportunities to make their magic happen. The sooner the o-line gels the more difficult this offense will be to stop as the season wears on.

Special teams could be a real asset. The team had three returns for scores last fall. The kicking game was very good in 2023 but has the potential to be even better this season. This is a phase of the game that Lockland will have the advantage in on most if not all Friday nights.

The defense will need to step up for this team to end up with a winning record. The upper echelon peers on the schedule have beat up on Lockland especially in the last four playoffs games where the Panthers have been outscored, 194-7. Look for that to change, with tenacious bookend pass rushers, sure tackling linebackers and a secondary loaded with experience. This defense has all the ingredients to make the biggest improvement of any unit on the squad. If that happens the sky is the limit for success in 2024.

Division VII, Region 28
2023 RECORD: 5-6, 3-2 MVC Gray
COACH: Michael Tudor (11-18 at Lockland, three years; 11-18 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Damien Dawson, Sr, QB/DB – If he isn’t the best athlete in Division VII, in the state of Ohio, Dawson is certainly in the conversation. An electrifying talent who can change the game any time he touches the ball. Dawson was named OPSWA Division VII Honorable Mention All-Ohio as a junior. He has thrown for 2,437 yards, ran for 2,294 yards, amassed 3,223 all-purpose yards, nagged six receptions for 80 yards, accounted for 52 touchdowns (26 pass, 23 rush, one rec, one KR, one IR), recorded 100 total tackles, with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions in his career. Dawson has offers from Coastal Carolina and Miami (OH).

Johnny Minton, Jr, QB/TE/DE/OLB – A high motor player who figured out how to wreak havoc in opposing backfield as a sophomore. Minton was named First Team All-MVC Gray after getting in on 65 total tackles, with 14.0 sacks, 18.0 tackles for losses, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, last fall.

Mouhamed Tall, Sr, slot/DB – Look for Tall to become a go-to guy on offense. He is already an asset on defense and special teams. Tall recorded 53 total tackles, had four pass breakups, a forced fumble, an interception and 19 receptions for 218 on his way to First Team All-MVC Gray honors in 2023. He has 39 receptions, 338 receiving yards, 73 total tackles and five interceptions in his career.

Les Criswell, So, DE – What an outstanding varsity debut for this relentless pass rusher. Criswell tallied 40 total tackles, had 10.5 sacks, 12.0 tackles for losses, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery to earn Second Team All-MVC Gray accolades as a freshman.

Aliou Diallo, Sr, WR/FS/K – A three-time Second Team All-MVC Gray performer Diallo is an invaluable commodity for the Panthers. He heads into his senior year with 26 receptions, 456 receiving yards, eight touchdowns (five rec, two rush, one KR), 100 total tackles, five takeaways (three INTs, two FRs), 26/36 XPM and 3/7 FGM (long of 40-yards), at the varsity level.

Lockland WR/DB Ailou Diallo (photo courtesy of Lockland Athletics)

Ken’Darius Coleman, Sr, OL – The senior leader and anchor of the offensive line. Coleman was an Honorable Mention All-MVC Gray selection last season. He also became a factor on defense as a junior with 37 total tackles, six tackles for losses, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Ty Hicks, Jr, OL/DL – Will be counted move mountains on both sides of the line. Hicks was named Honorable Mention All-MVC Gray as a sophomore. He also had 20 total tackles and one-and-a half sacks.

OTHER RETURNEES
Billy Parrott, Sr, RB/LB – The dependable and steady Parrott is a producer in all three phases of the game. He has 88 total tackles, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 1,008 all-purpose yards, 471 yards rushing, 28 receptions for 275 yards and eight touchdowns (five rush, two rec, one KR), in his career.

Truth Bankhead, So, RB/LB – The future is bright for Bankhead. As a freshman he was in on 78 total tackles, had three sacks, nine tackles for losses, three fumble recoveries and a pick-six. On offense, Bankhead ran for a score and caught a touchdown pass.

NEWCOMER
Junior WR Davae Andrews-Glover should fit right in with the skills players on offense. He will have his moments to shine.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(11 appearances, 0-11) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 1993, 1992

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – LUDLOW (KY) (6-4 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – at Bethel-Tate (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at Finneytown (3-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 –  at Portsmouth Notre Dame (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – DAYTON CHRISTIAN (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – ST. BERNARD-ELMWOOD PLACE (8-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – NEW MIAMI (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at MVCA (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – at Cincinnati Country Day (12-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – CLARK MONTESSORI (4-5) – 7:00 PM

WHAT A PAIR OF LEGS
Mouhamed Tall and Aliou Diallo were quite the duo with their legs in 2023. They combined to go 24/32 on extra points attempts and 2/6 on field goal tries for 30 kicking points. They also shared punting duties, averaging 40.8 yards on 24 punts. Tall had an 80-yard punt and a 40-yard field goal. Diallo also had five touchbacks on 39 kickoffs.

PLAYOFF DROUGHTS
Lockland tops the current list of Ohio teams with the most trips to the playoffs without a victory:
Playoff Appearances – School

11– Lockland (0-11 playoff record)
10 – Hillsboro (0-10)
8 – Belpre (0-8)
8 – Berkshire (0-8)
8 – Field (0-8)
8 – Matthews (0-8)
7 – Upper Sandusky (0-7)
7 – St. Charles Prep (0-7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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