By Anne Homan,
Sports Reporter
Braeden Wulf returns as quarterback for the Orioles this season.
In a matter of days, football fans will get a chance to see the Lennox High School 2022 football team in action as the team’s Scrimmage Night is set for this Friday, Aug. 19 at the Lennox football complex. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m.
LHS head football coach, Matt Luze, is looking forward to the start of the season and is excited about the senior leadership and the depth of returning starters and letterwinners on this year’s roster.
“We lost 10 great young men from last year’s team. Steven Christion, Jackson Arlt, Owen Ludens, Carter Van Houten, Jacob Stubbe, Stefen Van Gelder, Denver Lefers, Ayden Spielman, Lance Roeder, and Cole Denning did a great job of leading us last year,” said Luze, “I’m equally excited about what this year’s group of seniors will do to lead us throughout this year!”
Seniors on this year’s team include returning starters Cody Peterson, Jase Langbehn, Gabe Beman, Caden Iken, Zach Rezac, Hayden Herlyn, Landon Slack, Lance Spieler, Conner Eich, Braeden Wulf, Ethan Schroeder, Layne Kuper, Ethan Eli, and Austin Richter. Other seniors on the roster include Trayden Holland, Camden Faulds, Braven Hanse, Carter Stroschein, and Camryn Richarz.
Others returning for the Orioles include juniors Carter Benning, Triston Butler, Trey Gerdes, Dominic DeBoer, Ashton Bach, Porter Ihnen, and Talan Diercks.
With players returning at key positions including Wulf at quarterback, the Orioles are looking to rely on that experience to get them through the season.
Last year Lennox finished 5-4 on the season but looks to improve on that record.
“We have high goals and expectations for this season. We have many returning players from last year’s team and we have had a good summer in preparing for this year,” said Luze. “I’m very excited to see how well we grow as the season gets closer.”
Luze also pointed out it is important that the atheltes manage their health and attempt to stay injury free. He also hopes they can establish quality depth throughout the team, something he believes is essential for a successful season.
Others on this year’s roster include juniors Martell Burglar, Lucas Bontje, Ethan Larson; sophomores Corban Hanneman, Braeden Harmelink, Emory Lefers, Nate Haar, Atticus Larson, Chase Faulds, Journey Noisy Hawk-Ellis, Clayton Barrett, and freshmen Tate Gerdes, Teegan Musser, Max Weeldreyer, Mason Reischl, Lyncoln Leo, Eli Highum, Jacob Capon, Gavin Horner, Cole Spieler, Ramsey Williams, Wyatt Bult, Nathan Arens, Alec Gates, Griffen Boomgarden, Jacob Richert, Gabe Veurink, Jyler Antoine, Preston Otte, Gauge Richert, Coyer Fergen, Oaklin Fergen, and Jaxson Bittner. Managers this year include Cade Maxfield, Megan Luvaas, and Carson Maxfield.
Luze, who is entering his tenth year as head coach of the Orioles, will be assisted this season by Trevor Schroeder, Casey Vietor, Chris Kruse, Nathan DeWitt, Patrick Sees, Neal Stratman, Clinton Johnson, Jona Leo, and Matt Wolf.
Luze looks for Canton, Madison, and Sioux Falls Christian to be among the teams to be in the area. The Orioles kick-off their regular season on the road on Friday, Aug. 26 with a match-up against Chamberlain. The team will hold their home opener on Friday, Sept. 2 when they host Vermillion. Lennox will host Canton in the Black and Blue Bowl on Friday, Sept. 9 and will take on Custer on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Custer. For their Homecoming match-up on Friday, Sept. 23 the Orioles will host Beresford and on Friday, Sept. 30 Lennox travels to Dakota Valley. On Oct. 7, Lennox will take on Madison at Trojan Field (Dakota State University) and on Friday, Oct. 14 the Orioles will travel to West Central. On Thursday, Oct. 20 the Orioles wrap up the regular season with a home match-up against Sioux Falls Christian.
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