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2024 Video Snapshot: Lakota West

Four straight trips to the regional championship game have ended unfavorably for Lakota West. With 11 First and Second Team All-GMC performers returning, the Firebirds might have the talent to bring home the school’s first regional title.

Division I, Region 4
2023 RECORD: 11-3, 8-1 GMC
COACH: (50-11 at Lakota West, five years; 182-32 overall, 17 years)

HONOR ROLL
Luka Gilbert, Sr, TE – Does all the little things that don’t show up on the stats sheets. Gilbert is a very unselfish player, and it rubs off on his teammates. He was named OPSWA Honorable Mention All-Ohio after catching 15 passes for 171 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a junior. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound Gilbert has committed to the University of Miami.

Grant Beerman, Sr, LB – A long and rangy player that covers a ton of ground. Beerman will be a candidate for the GMC Defensive Player of the Year. He was named OPSWA Division I Honor Mention All-Southwest District and Third Team All-TriState Football after registering 79 tackles, three sacks, 12.0 tackles for losses, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup in 2023. Beerman has committed to Purdue.

Logan Gray, Sr, C – An underrated Firebird, Gray gets the offense in order. He was named First Team All-GMC as a junior.

Christian O’Neal, Sr, OT – An anchor and leader up front who helped open the holes for a rushing attack that ran for 32 touchdowns a year ago. The 6-foot-3, 281-pound O’Neal was named First Team All-GMC for his work.

Sam Wiles, Sr, QB – Took over the starting job at quarterback last season in Week 3 and led Lakota West to 11 straight victories before falling to Moeller in the regional finals. Wiles threw for 1,191 yards, ran for 534 yards and accounted for 18 touchdowns (12 pass, six rec) to earn First Team All-GMC honors.

Lakota West QB Sam Wiles (courtesy of: ScoutingOhio.com)

Trey Barnette, Sr, WR – With the graduation of Brennan Remy, Barnette will see many more balls come his way. A Second Team All-GMC selection as a junior, Barnette has 59 career receptions, 709 receiving yards and five touchdown catches.

Micah Markley, Sr, MLB – A three-year starter and captain, Markley is the backbone of the Firebirds defense. A Second Team All-GMC selection as a junior, he has 131 tackles, two sacks, seven-and-a-half tackles for losses, two pass breakups and an interception at the varsity level.

Joe Marquardt, Sr, P – A special team’s weapon. Marquardt was named Second Team All-GMC after averaging 35.6 yards on 36 punts, placing seven punts inside the opponents 20-yard line with a long of 59-yards in 2023.

Finn Mason, Sr, DB – Does an excellent job tracking the ball. Mason led the GMC with five interceptions to go along with 44 tackles in 2023. He was named Second Team All-GMC for his efforts.

Cam Thomas, Jr, LB – The best is yet to come for Thomas and that is a scary thought for opposing offenses. He was named Second Team All-GMC as a sophomore. Thomas was in 32 tackles, had four-and-a-half sacks, five-and-a-half sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Thomas offers that include Akron, Boston College, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Eastern Kentucky, Eastern Michigan, Georgia Tech, UMass, Marshall, Miami (OH), Michigan, Pitt, Purdue, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Lakota West LB Cam Thomas (photo by Greg Shoemaker/TriStateFootball.com)

Braydon Johnson, Jr, RB – Tabbed as one of the TSF Breakout Performers for 2024. Johnson ran for 570 yards and found the end zone eight times (seven rush, one pass) on his way to Second Team All-GMC accolades as a sophomore. He has offers from Ball State, Kent State, Pitt and Toledo.

OTHER RETURNEES
Jackson Smith, So, QB – Even though Wiles will start at quarterback, don’t be surprised if Smith gets meaningful snaps in most every game if not all of them. His big arm gives the team a different dynamic on offense. Smith played in seven games including starts against St. Xavier and Princeton as a freshman and threw for 199 yards and a touchdown. He has an offer from Kentucky.

Lakota West QB Jackson Smith (photo by: Greg Shoemaker / TriStateFootball.com)

NEWCOMERS
Vince Giordano, Sr, TE/DE/DL – A transfer from Bishop Fenwick who recorded 33 tackles with three sacks for the Falcons last season. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound Giordano is a “ridiculous,” added bonus for the Firebirds d-line. He has committed to BGSU.

Kenyon Norman, So, RB – Already a track star at Lakota West as a freshman. Norman gives the Firebirds backfield an explosive duo along with Johnson.

PLAYOFF HISTORY
(10 appearances, 14-10) – 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2014, 2013, 2009, 2006, 2004

2024 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/23/24 – ST. XAVIER (13-1 in 2023) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/30/24 – HAMILTON (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/06/24 – at Princeton (12-1) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/13/24 – FAIRFIELD (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/20/24 – at Middletown (3-8) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/27/24 – COLERAIN (0-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/04/24 – at Sycamore (5-6)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/11/24 – at Oak Hills (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/18/24 – LAKOTA EAST (1-9) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/25/24 – at Mason (7-6) – 7:00 PM

 

 

 

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