Coming off the program’s most successful season in over a decade, there is a lot of excitement abound in Leo.
Finishing just one victory away from a state finals appearance a year ago, the Lions broke through by showing that their success is no longer restricted to the regular season. A dozen-year drought without a sectional title was ended, with a regional victory over Mississinewa adding to the excitement of 2023.
With a mix of experience and newbies, Coach Jason Doerffler’s squad hopes to replicate last fall.
Five starters return on offense, including three-year starter and Miami (Fla.) commit Brock Schott. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Schott was named IFCA All-State for his efforts on both sides of the ball. He hauled in 36 receptions for 744 yards and six touchdowns a year ago.
Schott will be looked upon as a safety net for new quarterback Grayson Esguerra. The junior saw limited action last year, but has earned the trust of Doerffler with Kylar Decker having graduated.
Another prime returning target for Esguerra is Landin Hoeppner. The big-play machine had 323 yards receiving and six scores last season. Schott and Hoeppner represented one of the top 1-2 punches at wideout in the area.
The top six(!) rushers have graduated, taking with them 2,003 yards on the ground and 31 touchdowns. Expected to step up and fill the role of primary ball carriers are seniors Rashaad Bingham and Keadan Hulburt, as well as junior Nathan Foster.
Three linemen return with starting experience, including guards Crew Kaylor and Tristan Roberts. Junior Isaiah Coolman is also back at a tackle spot. Damien Coulter is expected to be the new starting center. Other players to watch in the trenches include seniors Dionysios Benge and Nathan Biddle, as well as juniors Derrion Treesh and Josiah Reynolds.
The defense is also a mixed bag in terms of returnees. Do-everything athlete Kaden Hurst is gone, as are second-level stalwarts Aidan Monds and Brett Fuller to go with defensive back Kam Zeisloft.
However, the defensive front is big on experience and size. In addition to Schott, who destroyed opponents from the edge to the tune of 67 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 19 sacks, Roberts is back after proving to be a worthy complementary lineman to Schott’s reign of terror a year ago. Juniors Coolman and Cooper Olson are also well above 6-foot with size and will be impactful players.
Senior Jared Jasper was an underappreciated linebacker a year ago, posting 48 tackles, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries. He returns as the savvy veteran with lineup newbies Hayden Couey, Drew Sauder and sophomore Bret Sauder.
Even with the loss of Hurst and Zeisloft, the secondary is in good hands with Hoeppner and two-year starter Jax Keller (73 tackles in 2023). Fellow senior Alijeh Lindsey will see an increased role this year, as well as juniors Hulburt and Titus Stoller.
WHY #4?
With at least a share of three of the last four NE8 championships and a breakthrough performance in the playoffs a year ago, Leo begins the season as the team to beat in the league and the best non-6A squad in the area (in our opinion).
The Lions’ ability to continue to own the NE8 will rely upon a new-look offense in terms of personnel, coupled with the calming presence of Schott and Hoeppner.
The impact of the loss of Kaden Hurst and his 20 combined touchdowns cannot be overstated, and the running back depth was gouged by graduation. But Bingham is a prime breakout candidate for someone that not a lot of folks know about.
The defense could be absolutely nasty if the rebuilt linebacking corps hits the ground running.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
There’s not much higher to go with a trio of Class 6A teams above Leo in our power poll. We would love to see how Leo would match up against the likes of Carroll, Homestead and Snider, both those potential matchups are not on the horizon in the near future.
Under first Coach Jared Sauder and now under Coach Doerffler, Leo has been built into a northeast Indiana football power. It finally made noise in the playoffs last year after a long drought. This year is all about proving the Lions aren’t going anywhere.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 5 vs. East Noble
As has been customary in the last several years, the Week 5 showdown with East Noble has been circled as the most likely game to decide the NE8 championship. New Haven threw a wrench in those plans a year ago, but Leo and the Knights enter 2024 as the two league favorites.
Leo has proven to be a tough nut for East Noble to crack, having captured six consecutive wins in the series. Another win in the regular season will further cement the Lions’ dominance over its rival, and put them in the decisive position to capture another NE8 crown.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
Grayson Esguerra, quarterback
The junior signal caller lacks significant experience on Friday nights, and he will be thrown into the deep end with a visit to Bishop Luers to open the season. That said, there is enough around Esguerra that coaches will tell him that he doesn’t need to be the hero for Leo to have a successful season. He merely cannot be the reason that the Lions lose games. Protect the football, make wise decisions and get the ball into the hands of the playmakers.
If Esguerra can take care of his responsibilities and grow more comfortable and confident through the regular season, Leo can win 10-plus games for the fifth time in six years.
This the team that lost to CC?