LAPEL — Every season, every game, the goal for the Lapel Bulldogs is to be better than the previous week.
This year is no exception with one asterisk.
In two of the past four seasons, the Bulldogs have hosted two regional playoff games.
Unfortunately, they did not advance to continue play, but coach Tim Miller and his team are working daily to take one more step in post-season play.
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Because they lost 22 seniors from last year’s squad — several of whom were starters — most of the offensive and defensive lines are untried on varsity.
“Most of the kids, though, have been in the program for three or four years,” Miller said.
So while new to their new assignments, they are not new to the playbook.
They also have some big players.
“Our line is pretty decent size,” Miller said. “I’d say they are probably 230 to 240 (pounds) across the board, on average.”
Bulldog opponents will have the privilege of facing senior linemen Jaden VanAlstyne and Cade Mohr and junior Teague Scherer, all who come in at 250 pounds or more.
New names will dot the offense for the Bulldogs.
“We’re going to be new up front, but returned quite a few of our receivers. We are very experienced at receiver.”
Ratcheting to those experienced guys will be junior quarterback Cole Alexander.
“We have big expectations for him,” Miller said.
At 6’3”, 190 pounds, Alexander has the height and bulk to lead the offense.
“He’s a very, very good athlete. He can run and throw and a lot of weapons out there to throw to,” said Miller.
Alexander is eager to begin his first season as a starter, and he doesn’t care to whom he throws.
“I want to spread it all around,” he said.
He said he’s confident in his receivers. And with the depth of the choices, Alexander will not be short of targets.
He knows he faces a challenge with the medley of immense size coming at him, but he’s ready.
As far as running the offense, Alexander understands and welcomes that particular challenge.
“You have to be ready to keep everyone under control and making sure everything is running right,” Alexander said.
He has a responsibility to keep his team mindful of their obligations.
Even though he’s ready for the tough season, he also believes part of his duty as the quarterback is to keep everyone enjoying the game and winning as a team.
“I want the guys returning to step up and help lead us through another sectional,” Alexander said.
Despite that goal, Alexander realizes there’s a whole season to play through first.
“But it’s not fun without challenges.”
On the defensive side, Miller said their linebackers and secondary have the most experience.
Senior Phoenix Mills started as linebacker last season and returns to lead the Bulldogs. Additionally, senior Jaylin Page is the strong safety/linebacker. Senior Sparky Manis is back in the secondary, and another senior, Wyatt Allen, returns as cornerback.
“So we have some guys on our defense who started almost every game last season,” Miller said.
Rounding out the senior lineup is Jakob Addington, Connor Gill, Luke DesNoyers, Reese Smith, Drew Reed, Mikey Carter, Ryne Wheeler, Aaron Hackleman, Dane Busch and Reise Anderson.
The Bulldogs have had their share of success the past few years, but it’s never easy. Lapel’s schedule has no easy dates.
They open with Elwood and Frankton, both of whom are perennial tough Madison County teams.
Following those games, the Bulldogs face Addams Central and 4A Boonville.
Facing 4A schools doesn’t change the game plan.
Last season the Bulldogs lost to Mississinewa but stayed with them through four quarters.
“You know, they’re going to be bigger than you and might have another athlete or two, but we approach it like any other game,” Miller said.
Miller and his team have the same goal every season. First they want to win Week 1and then they worry about Week 2.
However, one long-term goal is clear.
“Come sectional time, we want to be the team everyone is talking about,” Miller said.
Some already are. In the Indiana Football Coaches Association preseason poll, Lapel wasn’t in the top 10 but did receive votes in the polling.
The Bulldogs have won two sectionals and played for the sectional championship three times.
“At some point, we’d like to take that regional monkey off the back, but we just haven’t been able to put that together yet,” Miller said.
Miller is fully confident he has the players. Experience is what they need.
“It’s just a matter of getting that experience and come October, playing your best football.
The Bulldogs open at Elwood Aug. 17 and host their first home game against Adams Central Aug. 31.
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2 Noah Frazier 11 WR/DB
3 Jakob Addington 12 WR/DB
5 Charlie Prough 11 WR/DB
6 Cole Alexander 11 QB/DB
7 Jaylin Page 12 WR/DB
8 Connor Gill 12 WR/DB
9 Luke DesNoyers 12 K/P
10 Sparky Manis 12 WR/DB
12 Hayden LeClerc 10 WR/DB
15 Gabe Knepp 10 RB/DB
18 Brennan Stow 9 QB/DB
20 Jordan Delphia 12 WR/DB
20 Brady Cook 9 K/P
21 Quentin Norrick 11 RB/DB
22 Reese Smith 12 WR/DB
23 Drew Reed 12 RB/DL
24 Tanner Mroz 10 WR/DB
25 Josiah Scott 11 RB/DB
26 Max Stern 11 WR/DB
27 Coleton Kadinger 9 WR/DB
28 Wyatt Allen 12 RB/DB
30 Andrew Darlington 10 QB/LB
31 Eli Michalek 9 WR/DB
32 Brice Everitt 9 RB/DB
33 Brandon Wood 11 RB/LB
34 Parker Allman 10 WR/DL
35 Reece King 10 WR/LB
36 Justin Engle 12 WR/DB
40 Brock Harper 9 WR/DB
41 Keegan Hinshaw 11 WR/DB
42 Kyle Shelton 9 WR/LB
43 Michael Wilbur 11 WR/DB
44 Ryan Follmar 9 OL/LB
47 Mikey Carter 12 OL/LB
50 Jaden Van Alstyne 12 OL/DL
51 Ryne Wheeler 12 OL/DL
51 Ethan Beeman 9 OL/DL
52 Clayton McMillan 9 OL/DL
55 Cade Mohr 12 OL/DL
55 Holden Harless 9 OL/DL
57 Grant Morris 9 OL/DL
58 Charlie Pitcock 9 OL/DL
59 Phoenix Mills 12 OL/LB
60 Kayden Rothell 9 OL/DL
62 Aiden Murdock 9 OL/DL
63 Jarod Roundtree 10 OL/DL
64 Christan Schuyler 9 OL/DL
65 Grayson Stewart 9 OL/DL
66 Bradon Choate 11 OL/DL
67 Hunter Morris 11 OL/DL
70 Charlie Graybiel 10 OL/DL
71 Korbin Puckett 10 OL/DL
72 Ethan McCrory 10 OL/DL
73 Ian Dove 9 OL/DL
75 Christian Zicafoose 9 OL/DL
76 Caden Eicks 10 OL/DL
77 Jayden Kinsinger 10 OL/DL
78 Teague Scherer 11 OL/DL
79 Trace Broadbent 9 OL/DL
80 Max Kern 9 WR/DB
82 Will Alexander 9 WR/LB
83 Dane Busch 12 WR/DB
85 Reise Anderson 12 WR/DB
88 Dominik DeGuzman 11 WR/LB
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By Lori Wood
Successful teams need talent and they need leaders. Senior Bulldog Jaylin Page fulfills both roles in his final high school football season.
At 5’9”, 160 pounds, Page is lean but skilled as a Lapel defensive back. The soft-spoken senior is all about team.
“As a team, as long as we do everything as a team, we can accomplish our goals,” Page said.
He spent the off-season working out every day, doing the weights getting stronger and ready for the year.
“I’ve definitely improved since last year,” said Page.
Page understands the loss of so many seniors from last year’s squad can create a bit of a hole, but he also knows they are ready to compete.
“If we play as a team, we really don’t have any weaknesses.”
Page leads by example. He shows up every day and works hard to be his best.
“As long as you’re here, don’t go 50 percent. Also, be the best you can be every day,” Page said.
Being a Bulldog is a great experience, Page said.
“I love being around the coaches and players, the atmosphere.”
He said he loves the excitement of game day, transitioning into hitting the field.
While his senior season has yet to be in full force, Page is planning for life after Lapel.
He intends on going to a college where he can play football.
Once college is over, Page doesn’t plan to stray too far from the action. He plans attaining a degree in sports medicine.
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Lapel High School football schedule
Friday, Aug. 10
Vs. Hagerstown (scrimmage) 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 17
@ Elwood 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 24
@ Frankton 7 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 31
Vs. Adams Central 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 7
@ Shenandoah 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15
Vs. Boonville 2 p.m. — homecoming
Friday, Sept. 21
Vs. Rushville 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 28
Vs. Heritage Christian 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 5
Vs. Tri-Central 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 12
@ Eastern Hancock 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 19
Sectional TBA
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