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2024 Snapshot: Lawrenceburg

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

Snake-bitten by injuries early on in 2023 Lawrenceburg fell short of the lofty expectations that have been established during the tenure of head coach Ryan Knigga. The Tigers still managed to finish 8-3 but now find themselves chasing rival Batesville for Sectional supremacy after getting beaten twice by the Bulldogs. Reloaded and on a quest for a seventh Class 3A Sectional title in the last nine campaigns, Lawrenceburg is chomping at the bit to get the season started.

“We are looking forward to the 2024 season. Last year was a good season, but we fell short of a few goals. We need to get back to our standard. We have great kids and kids with talent who can play. I think we’ll be fun to watch in all three phases of the game,” Knigga states.

“Our defense will be our strength. We return a ton of guys who have played a lot of downs for us. They will be fast, hard-nosed and tackle well. They are smart which will give us an opportunity to be more complex in some situations,” Knigga chimes.

He goes on. “I also like our kicking game. Ryan Hinthorne has been a weapon for three years,” Hinthorne and his classmates head into their senior season with a combined record of 32-7 with a trip to the state championship game (in 2022) since they were freshmen.

On offense, Lawrenceburg has huge void to fill at quarterback. Battling for the position will be senior James Baker and sophomore Crue Gilmour. “The QB spot is open and anytime that it is open, it is a concern. We have some guys. We just need to piece it together. James and Crue are very good football players so we will need to find a way to maximize their talents,” Knigga laments on the situation.

Whomever wins the job they will be set up for success by the blockers up front. “I like our offensive line. We have some guys who can get after it,” Knigga says.

“This team will have great leadership by our upperclassmen. Our kids understand the mission and they have been working hard to bring a title back to the ‘Burg. We have a great tradition here at Lawrenceburg and we plan to get back on track,” Knigga concludes.

Class 3A, Sectional 30
2023 RECORD: 8-3, 2-1 EIAC Legends
COACH: Ryan Knigga (120-40 at Lawrenceburg, 13 years; 120-40 overall)

HONOR ROLL
Noah Knigga, TE/H-back/MLB – A four-year starter, a team leader and one of the top players in the Hoosier state. Defensively, Knigga has good ball skills and reacts to the play very well. He is a diverse player who can play at the line of scrimmage or in space. Knigga can cover a wide receiver or come in and play in the box. He is good tackler in open space. Offensively, Knigga does the dirty work. He is the lead blocker at the point of attack. Knigga was named IFCA Class 3A Junior All-State (LB) in 2023. Knigga, who has committed to Eastern Michigan has five forced fumbles three fumble recoveries, one interception and 18 receptions for 214 yards in his career.

TOP RETURNEES
D’Kari Mucker, Sr, RB/OLB – A hard-nosed player on both sides of the ball. D’Mucker Kari runs hard, has a good burst of speed, is shifty and gets downhill. He is a good open field tackler and can play in space. Mucker has 21 total tackles and a sack as a junior.

Lawrenceburg RB/LB D’Kari Mucker (photo by Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

Ryan Hinthorne, K/P – A great weapon to have on special teams. Hinthorne has the ability to place the ball where it is needed on kickoffs. He also has a strong enough leg to be good from around 46-47 yards. Back for his fourth season as starter Hinthorne has connected on 140/162 extra points, 6/13 field goal attempts (long of 46-yards) for 165 points in his career. He has also averaged 40.4 yards on 45 punts the last two seasons.

Logan Fehr, Sr, OL – A three-year starter who is a key piece to this seasons o-line. Fehr has developed himself into a nice lineman. He is a big kid who moves well. Fehr knows the system and can execute each block needed.

Noah Redar, Sr, OL/DE – A high motor guy who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Redar is and athletic lineman who moves well and gets to the second level very well. Defensively he will be an end where gets to the ball and finishes plays. Redar recorded 23 total tackles and had five sacks as a junior.

Landon Cornett, Sr, RB/DB – Landon can play multiple positions on the field and help your team in multiple ways. Cornett, Sr, RB/CB – The Tigers Swiss Army Knife who helps the team in multiple ways. Cornett has great speed, finishes runs hard, and has good hands making him a viable option in the passing game. Defensively, Cornett can cover and reacts to the ball very well.

Lawrenceburg RB/DB Landon Cornett (photo by Sandy Mahoney/Twitter: @InMotionBySandy)

Keaton McGrath, Jr, WR – A very talented receiver who must touch the ball. McGrath has the ability to stretch the field vertically and is also a threat in the short and screen game. Keaton is a player is fun to watch when the ball is in his hands. He heds into his junior year with 54 receptions for 757 yards and eight touchdowns.

Crue Gilmour, So, DB – One of the most dynamic players on the field each night, Gilmour must have the ball in his hands. A starter as a freshman who quickly became one of the Tigers top defenders in the secondary. Gilmour was in on 39 total tackles and had two interceptions. He is competing for the starting quarterback job and will see much more time on offense over the next three years.
Freshmen of Influence: Class of 2027

Kinser Pope, Jr, LB – Has a nose for the ball and plays downhill and gets where he needs to be, to make the play. Pope has had a good offseason and is expected to be a force in the middle this year. In his first year as a starter Pope tallied 69 total tackles and had a sack as sophomore.

OTHER RETURNING STARTERS
OFF: Bryce Hedrick, Sr, OG: Keagan Sturgill, Jr, C; Zachary Nagele, Jr, OT
DEF: Emrick Engel, Sr, SS; Vander LaBazzo, Jr, LB

NEWCOMERS
Senior QB/SS James Baker, juniors TE Braxton Gill, RB/WR/DB Isaiah Williams, DL Colton Moore, DL Kaleb Carter as well as sophomores DL Dylan Bates and DL Seth Graham will get their shots at earning a starting positions and snaps in the rotation.

PLAYOFF HISTORY (85-44)
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.

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/23 – at East Central (15-0 in 2023) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 08/30/23 – at Taylor (OH)(5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/23 – MILAN (8-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/23 – GREENSBURG (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/23 – at Franklin County (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/23 – at Batesville (11-2) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/23 – RUSHVILLE (3-7)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/23 – CONNERSVILLE (2-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/23 – at South Dearborn (5-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/23 – TBD: IHSAA Sectional 30 Playoffs

 

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