Pictures : Lacey Wilbert

By Aaron Pyle
Morning Sun Staff

In a matchup of winless teams, the Southeast Lancers football team
prevailed over Northern Heights to close 2022 on
a high note. The Lancers beat the Wildcats 20-6 behind a 143-yard, two-touchdown
performance from senior running back Landon
Cole. The victory snapped a nine-game losing streak
dating back to the end of the 2021 season as the
Lancers finished 1-8. “To end the season on a
win was very important,” coach Nick Cheney said. “We had chances to win
the three games before that. Every week they believed they were going to
win the last four weeks. “We had a lot of positives we can transfer over
to next year from the last game. The season ended
on a positive note, which was especially important
this year.” The Lancers have plenty of reasons for
the players and coaches to be optimistic about a
bounce-back year in 2023. “The season was a struggle, but the kids
came every week to practice, worked hard
and watched film,” Cheney said. “They improved a great deal from
the summer to the end of the season.
“The (junior varsity) went 4-1 this year. We
started eight underclassmen on both sides of the
ball. Throughout the season, the kids continued
to learn the game better and started believing in each other more and
more each week.” The team loses five starters from this season
— senior running back/ linebacker Landon Cole,
quarterback/linebacker Kolby Lovell, offensive
lineman/linebacker Dakota Smith, offensive
lineman/defensive end Jace Fowler and wide receiver/defensive back Eli
Pritchett. “The seniors came to practice every day and
worked hard,” Cheney said. “Kolby Lovell played several positions
this year to help the team win. Never complained, just wanted to win and
what was best for the team. He only missed one
practice in four years.” Cole and sophomore Aden Smith led the running game. Cole compiled 82 carries for 300
yards in seven games recorded. Smith collected 56 carries for 293 yards, and sophomore Braxton Hudson had 128 yards on
52 carries. Cole and Lovell led the Lancers on the defensive side. Cole collected
54 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, four tackles for a loss, two deflected
passes, two sacks and one forced fumble. Lovell earned 29 solo tackles,
19 assisted tackles, two tackles for a loss, two deflected passes, two sacks
and one forced fumble. Freshman quarterback Colten Lawrence
set a school record with 17 completions against
Erie in Week 6. Lawrence hit 17-of-30 passes for 300
yards and three touchdowns. A. Smith caught two TD passes to tie a
school record. The Lancers return the majority of a roster that
had freshmen and sophomores primarily. “We are excited about
the future. Most of our starters were freshmen
or sophomores this year,” Cheney said. “They improved every week, and
the confidence really grew over the last four weeks. “We have a couple of
kids also coming back from injuries that only played in one game or
none, that will be big contributors next year. The kids also need to get in
the weight room and get stronger and faster.”

TRL All Conference

Landon Cole- 1st team Linebacker (Unanimous)

Kolby Lovell- 1st team Oline

Aiden Smith- 1st Team Running back ( Unanimous)

Aiden Smith- 1st Team Punter

Deric Mitchell- 1st team Special Teams

All- State

Aiden Smith Honorable Mention

Landon Cole Honorable Mention