After an early June 7-on-7 scrimmage where head coach Jon Kitna was semi-pleased and semi-displeased with his team’s performance he let them know that Superman has left the building and is no longer there to bail them out. Kitna was referring to Ryder Hooks who rewrote the record books at Lakota East last season on his way to OPSMA Ohio Division I Offensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. Kitna made it abundantly clear that every Thunderhawk needs to step it up and be accountable for their performance on and off the field if this program is to continue its upward trajectory of success.
This team has the opportunity to leave its lasting mark on the program. Lakota East is on a quest to make the playoffs three straight seasons for the first time in school history. The Thunderhawks will not lack for motivation.
Division I, Region 4
2025 RECORD: 8-4, 6-3 GMC
HEAD COACH: Jon Kitna (17-17 at Lakota East, three years; 86-55 overall, 13 years)
HONOR ROLL
Carter Jones, ATH, 5-10/175
Offers from: Miami (OH), Howard & Butler
2025 Honors: OPSMA Honorable Mention All-Southwest District & First Team All-GMC (second straight year)
2025 Stats:26 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 63 rec.(most in a season in school history), 499 ReYds, 5 ReTDs, 80 KRYs, 605 APYds, 6 TotTDs, 30 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 3.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 5 PDs & 2 Ints
Career Stats: 83 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 79 rec., 727 ReYds, 8 ReTDs, 306 KR/PRYs, 1 KRTD, 1,116 APYds, 10 TotTDs, 33 Tkls, 1.0 sacks, 3.0 TFLs, 1 FF, 5 PDs & 2 Ints
Beckett Bush, Sr, DB, 5-11/195
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GMC
2025 Stats: 70 Tkls, 3.5 TFLs, 2 FRs, 1 PD, 1 Int & 22 IRYs
Jack Snider, Sr, OL, 6-3/255
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GMC
AJ Fitzstephens, Jr, K, 5-11/160
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GMC
2025 Stats: 34/36 XPs, 6/10 FGs, Lng 59 for 52 KPts, 16 TBs On 54 KOs
Career Stats: 74/76 XPs, 11/18 FGs, Lng 59 for 107 KPts, 27 TBs On 112 KOs
Nile Knutson, Jr, QB, 6-0/185
2025 Honors: Second Team All-GMC
2025 Stats: 2,486 PaYds & 22 PaTDs
OTHER RETURNEES
Braxton Thurman, Sr, DB/RS
2025 Stats: 209 KR/PRYs, 45 Tkls, 1 FF, 8 PD & 1 Int
Career Stats: 41 RuYds, 1 RuTD, 940 KR/PRYs, 1 KRTD, 85 TotTkls, 1.0 TFL, 1 FF, 12 PDs & 1 Int (includes stats as a freshman at Monroe)
Nana Baffour, Sr, OL/DL, 6-4/275
Offers from: Akron & Howard
Dalton Chaney, Jr, LB, 5-11/215
2025 Stats: 48 Tkls, 1.0 sack & 4.5 TFLs
Cody Doyle, Jr, FB/LB, 6-3/220
2025 Stats: 27 Tkls, 1.0 sack & 4.0 TFLs
Chris Leverette, Sr, DB
2025 Stats: 21 Tkls, 0.5 TFLs, 1 FR & 2 PDs
NEWCOMERS
Simeon Raye, Sr, DB, 6-3/190
Offer from VMI
2025 Stats: 6G, 11 Tkls & 1 PD
Caleb Agyekum, Sr, DB
Brayden Auguste, Jr, RB
2025 Stats: 71 RuYds, 5 rec., 22 ReYds, 59 KRYs
Cameron Wells, Jr, OL/DL, 6-3/285
2025 Stats: 3G, 12 Tkls & 1.0 TFL
Braylen Taylor, So, WR/DB, 5-10/160
Drew Dailey, So, QB/DB, 6-0/180
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(seven appearances, 6-7) – 2025, 2024, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2014, 2012
2026 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/21/26 – CENTERVILLE (3-7 in 2025) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/28/26 – at Lakota West (7-5) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/04/26 – at Oak Hills (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/11/26 – MASON (5-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/18/26 – at Hamilton (4-7) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/25/26 – PRINCETON (9-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/02/26 – at Fairfield (6-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/09/26 – MIDDLETOWN (11-3) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/16/26 – at Colerain (1-9)– 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/23/26 – SYCAMORE (0-10) – 7:00 PM
