With 12 state championships on its resume, there is little that Bishop Luers has yet to accomplish as a program.
But with a move up to Class 3A due to Success Factor, the Knights are aiming to achieve something they never have – win a state title in a class other than 2A.
Bishop Luers has jumped between 2A and 3A off and on the last 20 years as school enrollment and IHSAA cut-offs fluctuate. Now back in 3A for at least the next two seasons, the Knights hope to reload and make a run in their new class after a state crown last year.
While the losses to graduation are some big names, they lack volume. Bishop Luers only graduated 12 seasons, half of which saw significant playing time. Mickey Daring, Damiun Jackson, Gio Jimenez, Wes Javins, Finn Saxe and Isaac Zay are all gone, leading voids at some key positions, particularly since most of those guys played on both sides of the ball.
There is a battle for QB1 ongoing with juniors Devin Patterson and Jayce White battling it out. Whoever starts Week 1 will have a top receiver to throw to in senior Jaylen White, who hauled in 40 catches for 586 yards and eight scores last year. Senior Evan Wilkens will take on a bigger role as a receiver.
The leading rusher back from last year is junior Daveon Surry, who had just six rushes for 74 yards. Surry has proven his big-play ability in the return game with a pair of touchdowns on special teams last year. Junior Danny Arnold and senior Daryea Williams should see significant time in the backfield as well.
The offensive line returns four of its starters, with Michael Brough back for his third year starting at center. Sophomore Josh Morken and junior Quenten Price are also back after seeing starts in 2023, and junior Zack Wall, who has been starting since he was a freshman, is also back. An established and experienced offensive line should give support necessary for a new skill position group to find itself.
“This team has a lot more confidence than where we were at a year ago as our young players have grown and matured over the offseason,” said Coach Kyle Lindsay. “Their work ethic and coachability has been the catalyst to a very productive summer.”
Defensively, the Knights return their entire secondary from last season. Collectively, 14 of the team’s 15 interceptions are back, led by juniors Dee Hogue (four) and McKale Woodson (three). Jaylen White, senior Jacob Felger, sophomore Jaston White and Curry also had picks in 2023.
The front seven lost some stalwarts, but brings back senior D-tackle Christain Buxton (62 tackles, five tackles for loss) and senior Ben Kiracofe (29 tackles, five TFL, two sacks.
Felger and his 80 tackles, 13 TFL and four sacks returns at linebacker, with fellow senior Colin Weber also back at the second level.
Expect senior transfer Deontae Eskridge to be an impact player at the defensive end spot, while Danny Arnold, Xavier Martin and Brayden Mygrant, all juniors, are athletes to watch at linebacker.
Bishop Luers was strong in the kicking and the return game a season ago. They should be again with Angel Rojas back handling placekicking duties.
WHY #6?
On the surface, Bishop Luers lost a lot of production to graduation. Guys like Mickey Daring, Wes Javins and Isaac Zay were huge on both sides of the ball in the state run. But the bulk of the offensive and defensive lines are back, and the entire secondary remains intact.
There’s no doubt that the Knights will have new faces step up, and there is enough experience coming back that this isn’t as much of a reloading as many think.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
Bishop Luers avoided Snider and Carroll on the schedule last year, and they were blasted by East Noble 45-7 in Week 1. That Knights team won a state title.
Now, Coach Lindsay has mentioned that this team is more confident and prepared to start the season. Still, it’s hard to rank the Knights in the top 5 with questions in how they would match up against some of those squads.
We won’t have to wait long to find out, however, as Bishop Luers will host Leo in Week 1 at Luersfield.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 4 vs. Wayne
The two leading contenders to battle for the ‘B’ Division championship, Wayne comes calling on Sept. 13 in the first division game of the season for both.
Last year’s matchup was a doozy, with Bishop Luers edging Wayne 24-21 in a dynamic game that was forgotten as the season progressed. The Knights won three SAC games a year ago by three points or less, a testament to their ability to make plays in crunch time. Is this Luers squad similar of the same? Either way, we may find out against the Generals.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Jaylen White, wide receiver/defensive back
White was a big-play machine last year for the Knights. With the bulk of offensive production gone, he will be looked upon to be more of a big-volume guy in addition to the game-breaking ability.
Whoever is QB1, White will be the safety net, the savvy veteran who is a safe target to get the ball to wherever he is on the field.
Other guys will step up as the season progresses, similar to last season, but in terms of leading by example and being that returning playmaker, a lot will be put on White’s shoulders on both sides of the football.
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