By Joe St. Henry
Review Special Writer
Head Coach Chris Bell is entering his 18th year at the helm of Lake Orion’s football program with a renewed hunger that is shared by both his coaching staff and 80 players on the roster.
The Dragons missed the state playoffs last year after 13 consecutive trips to the post season, prompting everyone involved in the program to commit themselves to success in 2015.
‘Nobody has worked harder than us during the off-season and summer,? Bell said. ‘We’ve been very motivated, both in the weight room and practice field. Now we have to transfer this energy to football games.?
The most noticeable change from a year ago will be the Dragons return to a more balanced, two-dimensional offense, akin to Lake Orion football teams of the recent past.
‘We’ve got the athletes to throw the ball much better and attack downfield,? the coach said. ‘It will be a more wide open and fun brand of football to watch.?
Under center the Dragons will have their biggest quarterback ever, with 6?5? 200-pound sophomore Caden Prieskorn taking snaps. Bell said the three-sport athlete with a great arm has had a strong summer running the offense at camps and scrimmages.
Protecting Prieskorn and opening holes for Lake Orion’s running backs will be one of the school’s largest offensive lines in history, which Bell says is one of the team’s greatest strengths.
The line is anchored by 6? 4? 270-pound senior tackle and college-prospect Brendan Thompson and 6?1? 270-pound senior center Josh Benson. Bell said Benson was the team’s best offensive lineman in 2014 and should be the best at his position in the league this year. The rest of the offensive line is more than formidable, featuring 6?2? 270-pound junior guard Jeff McCarty, 6?1? 265-pound senior guard Justin Cathers and 6?4? 245-pound junior tackle Nick Novak.
The Dragon running attack will be fueled by junior tailback Keith Fields, who played slot receiver last season. Bell said Fields is the fastest player on the team and is very elusive in the open field. Backing him up will be junior Danny White, who is more of an old-school, hard-nosed runner.
Lake Orion’s slot receivers will be led by junior Max Horneffer and seniors Noah Harris and Lajuan Bronner.
The wide receiving corps features senior Jaylen Wiggins, who Bell calls a ‘game changer?, along with junior Michael Jarvis and Brody Kreutzer. Senior Tyler Barkley will play both wide receiver and tight end.
Another weapon will be third-year placekicker and college prospect Luke Bevilacqua.
Fans should expect improved play from the Dragons? defensive unit, as well, with four three-year starters returning. Bell said this experience will enable the defensive unit to play faster and more aggressively than last year.
After missing last season due to injury, senior safety and college prospect Drew Casey is back. Bell said he is a ‘ball hawk? and a great tackler. Joining him in the secondary will be shut-down cornerback Wiggins, who has already committed to playing college football at Toledo.
The linebacker crew will feature seniors Jack McClear and Bay Smart, both three-year starters. The defensive line will anchored by 5?11? 245-pound senior Cameron Shadaia, another long-time starter and one of the strongest players on the team.
According to Bell, the OAA Red Division will be more balanced than ever, with two-time state champion Clarkston and West Bloomfield having graduated a number of seniors and the other teams making significant improvements.
‘You have to bring it every week in the OAA Red,? Bell said. ‘There are no easy games on the schedule. We have the talent and now we’re working on becoming tough, physical football players. If we do that, we have a chance to be good.?
The Dragons open the season against non-league opponent Chippewa Valley at Wayne State University on Thursday, August 27.