Winning is a way of life in Lawrenceburg. The Tigers have averaged 8.7 wins per season in head coach Ryan Knigga’s 15 years at the helm. Since 2019 they have been even better averaging 10.7 victories per season. Those numbers could go even higher with this extremely talented cast of cats.
Lawrenceburg is a versatile and athletic team that will be a handful to deal with because of its team speed. There are some worries for Knigga about experience and depth at some positions.
Knigga sums it up like this. “Our team has had a really good offseason. Our kids have put in the time and want to get back to winning championships. We need to stay away from injuries and get better each week. If we do that, we’ll be able to make some noise in the tournament,”.
Class 3A, Sectional 30
2024 RECORD: 10-2, 2-1 EIAC Legends
COACH: Ryan Knigga (130-42 at Lawrenceburg, 15 years; 130-42 overall)
HONOR ROLL
Keaten McGrath, Sr, WR – An explosive receiver with good hands. McGrath was an All-EIAC Legends selection in 2024. He has 103 receptions, 1,454 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns in his career. He has also shown other productivity through his versatility with 1,610 all-purpose yards, a rushing touchdown and two interceptions.
Kinser Pope, Sr, LB – An excellent run stopper who was named All-EIAC Legends as a junior. Pope has racked up 141 tackles in his career.
Crue Gilmour, Jr, QB/DB – A dynamic playmaker who has all-state talent. In his first year as a starter at quarterback Gilmour threw for 1,151 yards, ran for 769 yards and accounted for 19 touchdowns (11 rush, eight rush) on his way to All-EIAC Legends honors as a sophomore. He also has 50 career tackles and a pair of interceptions in his career.
OTHER RETURNEES
Keegan Sturgill, Sr, OL/DE – A fast, smart and athletic player. Sturgill is a returning starter on an o-line that opened holes for an offense that found the end zone 49 times (36 rush, 13 pass) last fall.
Ben Pierce, Sr, OL – A returning starter who is good at pulling and working to different levels. Pierce helped pave the way for a rushing attack that averaged 212.2 yards per game in 2024.
Vander Labazzo, Sr, OLB – A hard working, strong pass rusher.. Labazzo has 53 tackles and 5.0 sacks over the last two seasons.
Isaiah Williams, Sr, RB/WR/DB – Has the chance to be a 2025 breakout performer. Williams ran for 315 yards and three touchdowns as a junior.
Braxton Gill, Sr, TE – When healthy, the athletic Gill has shown he can be a factor. Two of his four receptions in 2024 went for touchdowns.
Jacob Becker, Sr, DL – A leader on defense who has a high football IQ. Becker is a good tackler who had 42 takedowns, a fumble recovery and an interception as a junior.
Qain Foster, Sr, RB – A hard nosed runner who has good speed. Foster ran for 290 yards and a pair of scores last fall.
Dylan Bates, Jr, OL/DL – A physical blocker on offense and is good at getting off blocks on defense. Bates will play a more prominent role on defense this season.
NEWCOMERS
Opportunities are abundant in the trenches for seniors OL Kaleb Carter, DL Zachary Scribner, DL Colton Moore, juniors DL Seth Graham, DE/LB/TE Isaiah Barnes, OL/DL Dennis Welch and freshman OL Brady Miller. Junior skill positions players WR Jayden Montgomery, WR/DB Trey Boyce and WR Mason Manford have bright futures. Graham had 13 tackles, a sack and 3.0 tackles for losses as a sophomore. Manford ran for his first varsity touchdown last fall.
PLAYOFF HISTORY
(87-45)
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.
2025 SCHEDULE
Fri – 08/22/25 – EAST CENTRAL (8-4 in 2024) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 08/29/25 – at Taylor (10-3) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 09/05/25 – at Speedway (4-6) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/12/25 – at Greensburg (1-10) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/19/25 – FRANKLIN COUNTY (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 09/26/25 – BATESVILLE (9-4) – 7:00 PM
Fri – 10/03/25 – at Rushville (6-4) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/10/25 – at Connersville (2-8) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/17/25 – SOUTH DEARBORN (4-6) – 7:30 PM
Fri – 10/24/25 – TBD: IHSAA Class 3A, Sectional 30 Playoffs
