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Lakota West safety Dawson Fletcher officially signed to play football at Indiana University Feb. 1, 2012 on National Signing Day. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Unlike Lakota East, Lakota West High School hosts numerous signing ceremonies throughout the academic calendar. So far, there have been 32 seniors at Lakota West who have signed on to continue their athletic careers in college.

At Lakota East, there have been a total of 26 seniors recognized at two different signing day events in 2012.

Here is a list of all the Lakota West students who will be playing sports in college:

• Ali Zieverink – Shawnee State (basketball)
• Adrianna McNeal – Southwestern (basketball)
• Rachel Mills – Alderson Broddus Illinois College ((basketball)
• Summer Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Shabazz Reeves – Morgan State University (basketball)
• Jordan Darland – Olivet Nazarene (football)
• Blake Bell – California (PA.) (football)
• Dawson Fletcher – Indiana University (football)
• Cole Stalker – University of Findlay (football)
• Beau Odom – Georgetown College (football)
• Kayaune Ross – Fort Scott Community College (football)
• Bubba Williams – Lindsey Wilson (football)
• Evan Hodel – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Zach Crabtree – Wheeling Jesuit (lacrosse)
• Ali Green – Ashland (golf)
• Kim Love – Purdue University (soccer)
• Kelly Mack – Wright State (soccer)
• Lauren Pratt – Ohio Dominican (soccer)
• Malik Zuberi – Shawnee State (baseball)
• Zak Farmer – Walsh University (baseball)
• Davis Schafer – Bellarmine University (baseball)
• Mike Seaman – Trine University (baseball)
• Nick Billman – Mount St. Joseph (baseball)
• Jake Wagner – Miami-Hamilton (baseball)
• Amanda Lahti -  Ohio Northern (softball)
• Brooke Rowley – Lake Forest College (swimming)
• Brady Holmer – NKU (cross country)
• Amanda Shelby – Mount St. Joseph (cross country)
• Nathan Haynes – Navy (cross country)
• Mel Stewart – NKU (volleyball)
• Corri Muha – Georgetown College (volleyball)
• Nick Bloch – Lake Erie College (wrestling)

WestFirebirds.com, the school’s official athletic website, posts photos and details after signing ceremonies take place.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Adrianna McNeal, Ali Green, Ali Zieverink, Amanda Lahti, Amanda Shelby, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Brooke Rowley, Bubba Williams, Cincinnati football recruiting, Cole Stalker, Corri Muha, Davis Schafer, Dawson Fletcher, Evan Hodel, Jake Wagner, Jordan Darland, Kayaune Ross, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Pratt, Malik Zuberi, Mel Stewart, Mike Seaman, Nathan Haynes, Nick Billman, Nick Bloch, ohio basketball recruiting, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Rachel Mills, recruiting, Shabazz Reeves, Summer Reeves, Zach Crabtree, Zak Farmer

A total of seven Lakota West student athletes signed and had their letters of intent faxed to colleges on National Signing Day Wednesday.

“When you have these kids signing out, what a great opportunity for their lives and I am not talking about football. They have all been given an opportunity to give themselves such a step up in life,” Lakota West head coach Larry Cox said.

“Today is about winning and they won through their academics and their athletics. They have proven themselves worthy to the level, which is one step away from the pros, to play football again. How can you not be excited about that?”

Headlining the 2012 Lakota West class of seniors was Indiana University signee Dawson Fletcher, who verbally committed to IU prior to this fall’s high school season.

Fellow senior defensive players lineman Blake Bell (California University of Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University), linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay) will also continue their football careers at the next level.

• Video highlights of Lakota West S Dawson Fletcher
• Video highlights of Lakota West DE Blake Bell
• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Jordan Darland
• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Cole Stalker
• Video highlights of Lakota West DL/OL Beau Odom
• Video highlights of Lakota West WR Bubba Williams
• Video highlights of Lakota West WR Kayaune Ross
• Video highlights of Lakota West RB Marcus Davis

Offensively, lineman Beau Odom (Georgetown College), wide receiver Bubba Williams (photo – Lindsey Wilson College) and wide receiver Kayaune Ross (Fort Scott Community College) will also play football in college.

The 6-foot-3 200-pound Ross provided matchup problems for other teams in the Greater Miami Conference in 2011, averaging 25.6 yards per catch. Overall, Ross finished with 14 catches for 358 yards and six touchdowns. For his play, Ross was named second team all-GMC and earned him attention from many Division I scouts, according to Cox.

“Fort Scott is in the Kansas JUCOs, which is the toughest in the nation,” Cox said. “They will sign out 10-to-12 Division I players per year. He has a great opportunity and he is very humble and grateful for it.”

This week, two former Fort Scott players who went on to sign with the University of South Florida, will be playing in the Super Bowl. Both players, linebacker Jacquian Williams (78 total tackles in 2011 as a rookie) and Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (86 total tackles, 16.5 sacks in 2011), are key contributors on the New York Giants’ defense.

In addition to the signees, according to Cox, Lakota West senior running back Marcus Davis will be a preferred walk-on or possibly a greyshirt at Murray State University. Davis rushed for 1,118 yards in the fall and is third in school history in career rushing yards.

(WestChesterBuzz.com will post a separate story on Dawson Fletcher soon with comments from the IU coaching staff)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Beau Odom, Beau Odom football highlights, Blake Bell, Blake Bell highlights, Cole Stalker, Cole Stalker highlights, Dawson Fletcher, Dawson Fletcher highlights, football videos, Jordan Darland, Jordan Darland highlights, Kayaune Ross, Kayaune Ross football highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football highlights, Lakota West football video, Lakota West sports, Marcu Davis highlights, Marcus Davis, National Signing Day, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football

Both Lakota West and Lakota East high schools will host special signing ceremonies Wednesday on National Signing Day to honor student athletes that will be playing sports in college. WestChesterBuzz.com will post updates, stories and pictures throughout the day.

At Lakota East Wednesday morning, 15 student athletes in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track will be honored.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, also Wednesday morning, Lakota West will host a signing event for football players. Currently, six seniors have verbally committed to college including Dawson Fletcher (Indiana University), defensive end Blake Bell (University of California, Penn.), linebacker Jordan Darland (Olivet Nazarene University), linebacker Cole Stalker (University of Findlay), offensive lineman Beau Odom (Georgetown College) and wide receiver Kayaune Ross (Fort Scott Community College).

That group, along with running back Marcus Davis, wide receiver Bubba Williams, cornerback Peair Foster, safety Antonio Darden and offensive lineman Neil Recker can officially sign with their school of choice Wednesday.

Later in the day, the Greater Miami Conference will hold its annual football signing press conference at 1 p.m. at the Wingate Inn/Meridian Conference Center, 7500 Tylers Place Blvd., in West Chester. The event is open to the public.

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country – Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (cross country – Mount St. Joseph).

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (volleyball – Northern Kentucky University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports, Spring sports, Winter Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

Lakota West defensive end Blake Bell and linebackers Jordan Darland and Cole Stalker verbally committed to play football in college Sunday. Bell decided on the University of California of Pennsylvania, Darland picked Olivet Nazarene University and Stalker chose the University of Findlay.

Bell selected Cal U (California, Penn.) over St. Joseph College (Ind.), University of Indianapolis and Ohio Dominican University. The 6-foot 260-pound defensive end finished the season with a team high 14 tackles for loss, including 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Bell has been named a captain at Lakota West and an all-Greater Miami Conference selection twice. This season, he was selected first team all-GMC and honorable mention all-city by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Meanwhile, Darland chose Olivet Nazarene (Bourbonnais, Ill.) over Malone University, Georgetown College, Duquesne University, among others. The senior, who led the Greater Miami Conference in total tackles with 107, recorded 13 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and forced 5 fumbles in 2011. For his performance, he was named second team all-GMC and an all-city honorable mention by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Jordan Darland
• Video highlights of Lakota West FS Dawson Fletcher



• Video highlights of Lakota West DE Blake Bell
• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Cole Stalker

Stalker selected Findlay over St. Joseph’s (Ind.) College, Robert Morris University, Georgetown College and Lindsey Wilson College. Stalker is also on the Lakota West varsity basketball team this season. At linebacker, he was third on the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and led the team with 3 sacks and 3 fumble recoveries.

Prior to the season, senior safety Dawson Fletcher verbally committed to Indiana University. This past season, Fletcher was second on the team in tackles with 70. The all-GMC first teamer also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception that he returned 77 yards, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

All four, along with running back Marcus Davis, offensive lineman Beau Odom, wide receiver Bubba Williams, cornerback Peair Foster, safety Antonio Darden and offensive lineman Neil Recker could sign with their school of choice Wednesday on National Signing Day.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Blake Bell, Blake Bell highlights, Cole Stalker, Cole Stalker highlights, Dawson Fletcher, Dawson Fletcher highlights, football videos, Jordan Darland, Jordan Darland highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West football highlights, Lakota West football video, Lakota West sports, National Signing Day, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football

National Signing Day, which will take place Wednesday, marks the first day high school football and soccer players can sign letters of intent. Many high schools across the country, like Lakota East and Lakota West, will host special signing ceremonies throughout the week.

Lakota East will honor 15 student athletes during a special ceremony Wednesday morning in sports that include volleyball, lacrosse, baseball, softball, tennis, basketball, swimming, cross country and track.

Lakota West will host a signing event for football players Wednesday morning as well. Meanwhile, soccer and cross country athletes will be recognized at a ceremony Thursday afternoon.

Among those who will be honored at Lakota East include Lauren Beitel (volleyball – Otterbein University), Emily Bostian (volleyball – Otterbein), Michaela Buczek (lacrosse – College of Mount St. Joseph), Michael Conrad (baseball – University of Cincinnati), Alex Corna (baseball – Ohio University), Ainsely Ellison (softball – Hillsdale College), Sofey Fugate (tennis – Heidelberg University), Alyssa Grevenkamp (basketball – University of Findlay), Jessika Hall (swimming – Michigan State University), Tori Meyer (lacrosse – Albright College), Mark Minch (basketball – Ohio Dominican University), Zach Mueck (tennis – Xavier University), Tony O’Connor (cross country/track – Northern Kentucky University), Hannah Sigala (volleyball – Morehead State University) and Whitney Wyckoff (basketball – Yale University).

Meanwhile, during Thursday’s afternoon ceremony at Lakota West, the following student athletes will be honored: Kim Love (soccer – Purdue University), Kelly Mack (soccer – Wright State University), Lauren Pratt (soccer – Ohio Dominican University), Brady Holmer (cross country (Northern Kentucky) and Amanda Shelby (Mount St. Joseph).

In football, Lakota West could have up to 10 players sign Wednesday including linebacker Jordan Darland, defensive end Blake Bell, running back Marcus Davis, safety Dawson Fletcher, offensive lineman Beau Odom, wide receiver Bubba Williams, linebacker Cole Stalker, safety Antonio Darden, cornerback Peair Foster and offensive lineman Neil Recker.

Of that group, only Fletcher has announced where he will be playing football in college. The senior safety, who will be attending Indiana University, was second on the team in tackles with 70. The all-GMC first teamer also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception that he returned 77 yards, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

In November, basketball, baseball and volleyball players were able to sign national letters of intent. Back then, the following students from Lakota West signed: Summer Reeves (basketball – Morgan State University), Shabazz Reeves (basketball – Morgan State), Corri Muha (volleyball – Georgetown College) and Mel Stewart (Northern Kentucky University).

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ainsely Ellison, Alyssa Grevenkamp, Amanda Shelby, Antonio Darden, Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Brady Holmer, Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Dawson Fletcher, Emily Bostian, Hannah Sigala, Jessika Hall, Kelly Mack, Kim Love, Lakota East, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West sports, Lauren Beitel, Lauren Pratt, Marcus Davis, Mark Minch, Michael Conrad, Michaela Buczek, National Signing Day, Neil Recker, Ohio football recruiting, Ohio High School sports recruiting, Ohio preps recruiting, Ohio sports recruiting, Ohio State football, Peair Foster, Signing Day Lakota East, Signing Day Lakota West, Sofey Fugate, Tony O’Connor, Tori Meyer, Whitney Wyckoff, Zach Mueck

Like many of his senior teammates, Lakota West middle linebacker and captain Jordan Darland could decide as early as Wednesday of next week where he wants to play college football.

The senior, who led the Greater Miami Conference in total tackles with 107, has offers from Duquesne, Malone, Lindsey Wilson, Olivet, Georgetown College and St. Francis.

• Video highlights of Lakota West LB Jordan Darland
• Video highlights of Lakota West FS Dawson Fletcher
• Video highlights of Lakota West DE Blake Bell
• Video highlights of Lakota West RB Marcus Davis

Darland also had 13 tackles for loss, forced 5 fumbles, recorded a sack and an interception in 2011. For his performance, he was named second team all-GMC and an all-city honorable mention by The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Joining Darland on the all-city team were seniors Blake Bell, Marcus Davis, Dawson Fletcher and Beau Odom. Those four, along with seniors Bubba Williams, Cole Stalker, Peair Foster and Neil Recker could be participating in Wednesday morning’s signing day ceremony at Lakota West High School.

Of that group, only Fletcher has announced where he will be playing football in college. The senior safety, who will be attending Indiana University, was second on the team in tackles with 70. The all-GMC first teamer also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception that he returned 77 yards, 3 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.

(Additional information on offers and signing announcements for all Lakota student athletes will be posted soon)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Blake Bell, Blake Bell highlights, Dawson Fletcher, Dawson Fletcher highlights, football videos, Jordan Darland, Jordan Darland highlights, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Marcus Davis highlights

The Greater Miami Conference has honored 13 student athletes from the Lakota school district for their play on the football field this fall.

The conference released the names of its All-GMC teams in volleyball, soccer, cross country, golf and tennis earlier this month.

Senior defensive end Blake Bell, senior defensive back Dawson Fletcher and offensive guard Beau Odom, all from Lakota West, were named to the All-GMC First Team.

• Lakota fall sports athletes named to All-GMC team
• Lakota West wins thriller at Lakota East 25-20

Lakota West classmates senior linebacker Jordan Darland, senior running back Marcus Davis, senior offensive tackle Neil Recker, senior wide receiver Kayaune Ross and senior wide receiver Bubba Williams were honored as All-GMC Second Team members.

Also named to the All-GMC Second Team, from Lakota East, were senior defensive lineman Tim Bowman, junior linebacker Jake Chestnut, sophomore kicker Nick Gasser, sophomore fullback Mikel Horton and senior defensive back Joey Postlethwait.

Both Lakota football teams finished 2-5 in conference play this fall. Lakota East (6-4) finished with the better overall record, but lost to Lakota West (3-7) in the final game of the season.

(Photos are of Lakota West student athletes Blake Bell, Dawson Fletcher and Beau Odom, who were all named to the All-GMC First Team)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Beau Odom, Blake Bell, Bubba Williams, Dawson Fletcher, Jake Chestnut, Joey Postlethwait, Jordan Darland, Kayaune Ross, Lakota East, Lakota East football, Lakota East Sports, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Marcus Davis, Mikel Horton, Neil Recker, Nick Gasser, Tim Bowman

Both Lakota West (0-2) and Anderson (0-2) enter their matchup searching for the first win of the season. The Firebirds have lost games to Winton Woods and Elder, while Anderson has lost to Princeton and Withrow.

Lakota West: Head coach Larry Cox believes that his team has improved each week this season. In last week’s 35-10 loss against Elder, Cox said his first-year starting quarterback “took a big step forward.” Statistically, sophomore Tyler Jones appeared to struggle – completing 5-of-17 passes for 40 yards with a touchdown and an interception against Elder. However, Cox likes the way his young quarterback is handling the offense. Another bright spot from last week’s loss, was senior running back Marcus Davis. In the Elder game, Davis rushed for 196 yards on 22 carries. Another playmaker is 6-foot-3 senior wide receiver Kayuane Ross, who is currently averaging 24 yards per reception (72 yards and a touchdown on three catches). Defensively, senior lineman Blake Bell and senior safety Dawson Fletcher (Indiana commit) have played inspired football early this season.

Anderson: After the Redskins fell to Princeton by the score of 40-33 in week one, they lost a 26-25 thriller at Withrow last Friday night. In the loss to Withrow, Anderson led 25-13 until giving up two fourth quarter touchdown passes (the last with 2:10 left in the game). In two games this season, senior quarterback Nick Mason has completed 15-of-30 passes for 264 yards and four touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, junior running back Kamel Bradley has 164 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries this season. Defensively, the Redskins have struggled against the pass allowing 222 yards through the air per game. Against the run, Anderson is only allowing 77 yards per game. In addition to the team statistics, senior safety Kyle Payne returned two blocked punts for touchdowns last Friday.

Bottom line: Offensively, running the football appears to be the Firebirds’ biggest strength. If Anderson takes that away, Jones will be forced to throw the football. It should be interesting how that plays out. Earlier this week, Anderson head coach Jeff Giesting told the Pulse Journal that Lakota West is “bigger and faster” than his team. That being said, it could be difficult for the Redskins to keep up.

Game information: Lakota West at Anderson at 7:30 p.m. Location: At Anderson, located at 7560 Forest Road. Directions: From Lakota West HS, I-75 S to I-275 E toward Columbus, exit 69 for Five Mile Rd., right onto Five Mile Rd., first right onto Old 5 Mile Rd., left onto Forest Rd. Weather: Forecast from National Weather Service, slight chance of showers, cloudy with low around 57. Tickets: Call Lakota West Athletic Office between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 513-682-4111.

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Anderson, Anderson football, Blake Bell, Dawson Fletcher, football, game preview, Kamel Bradley, Kayuane Ross, Kyle Payne, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Larry Cox, Marcus Davis, Nick Mason, Tyler Jones

After losing to one of the top teams in Division II, Lakota West (0-1) will face one of the top teams in Division I when it hosts Elder (1-0) on Friday night. While Lakota West is coming off a 27-21 loss to Winton Woods, Elder will be fresh off a 33-14 win against Centerville.

Elder: Senior running back Cody Fox nearly doubled his rushing output from last season in last week’s 33-14 win against Centerville. In the win, Fox rushed for three first-half touchdowns and a game-high 154 yards on 26 carries. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound tailback had 86 rushing yards last fall. As a team, Elder totaled 417 yards of total offense against Centerville. With the help of Fox and junior Jimmy White (100 yards on eight carries), the Panthers had 322 rushing yards. Senior quarterback Ben Gramke (photo) completed 10 of his 14 passes for 95 yards and had two touchdowns. Defensively, Elder totaled four sacks and forced the Elks into making five turnovers.

Lakota West: Head coach Larry Cox decided to start sophomore Tyler Jones (photo) over junior Dustin Parker just days before the season started last Saturday against Winton Woods. Jones, who was making his first varsity start, led the Firebirds to a touchdown on his first offensive possession. Overall, Jones threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. He did, however, struggle a bit, throwing an interception and allowed two safeties on difficult snaps to handle from his center. This prompted Cox to briefly put in Parker in the second half, as the Firebirds’ 14-4 lead quickly became a 27-14 deficit. After Saturday’s loss, Cox did say that Jones would be the starting quarterback for the Firebirds against Elder. On defense, keep an eye on senior defensive lineman Blake Bell. The 260-pound defender had an excellent game against Winton Woods and was involved on many tackles.

Bottom line: Cincinnati Enquirer contributor and former Cincinnati Post scribe Tom Ramstetter wrote, “Elder will be too much for Lakota West in this one.” Many signs put to Ramstetter being right. Elder is ranked No. 3 in the Cincinnati Enquirer Coaches Poll, while Lakota West is still trying to find its identity on offense. Nonetheless, the Firebirds turned in a solid performance against an experienced Winton Woods team last weekend. There is no reason to believe that they can’t do it again. If that happens – well – anything can happen.

Game information: Elder at Lakota West at 7:30 p.m. Location: At the high school, which is located at the corner of Union Centre Blvd. and West Chester Rd. Tickets: Call Lakota West Athletic Office between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at 513-682-4111.

(WestChesterBuzz.com will be at the game and will post a game story and pictures)

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Ben Gramke, Blake Bell, Cody Fox, Dustin Parker, Elder, Elder football, football, game preview, Jimmy White, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Tyler Jones

The Lakota West football team got off to a “fresh start” to the season when it opened its summer practice program on a hot evening on the high school’s football field Monday evening.

“What is neat about our sport is that every year is a new year, a fresh start, fresh beginnings and as I tell our kids – we are undefeated right now,” Lakota West head coach Larry Cox said. “Somebody else is going to have to prove that otherwise.”

With the departure of quarterback Jordan Darling, who moved to Texas after leading the Firebirds and the Greater Miami Conference in passing in 2010, there are currently four players trying to prove to Cox that they deserve the starting quarterback gig.

>>>PHOTOS OF LAKOTA WEST SUMMER FOOTBALL PRACTICE<<<

Cox will learn a lot more about his four candidates during the two weeks of his summer practice program. Battling for the starting position, which figures to be a close race, is junior Dustin Parker, sophomores Justin Martin, Malik Grove (photo) and Tyler Jones.

“We have four kids who are really, really working hard for that position,” Cox said. “They are also all good kids who all want a shot at it, but they are helping each other. That is the neat part about it.”

Three returning starters on the offensive line and the return of senior wide receiver Tyler Williams (21 rec. 257 yards in 2010) and senior running back Marcus Davis (542 rushing yards in 2010) should help the new starting quarterback.

>>>LAKOTA WEST 2011 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE<<<

Meanwhile, opposing quarterbacks could have a difficult time passing against West with what Cox dubs as his best secondary in his 15 years as the Firebirds’ head coach. The foursome includes seniors Dawson Fletcher (Indiana commit), Peair Foster, Amarie’ Bryant and Antonio Darden.

Also on defense, senior Blake Bell leads the defensive line and junior Mike Kelly (Ryan Kelly’s brother – Ryan is a now a freshman on the University of Alabama football team) is expected to make an impact at linebacker.

“I really like this team,” Cox said. “I think we have a lot of depth.

“Even though it is July 18th, I get a little jacked up because I know what the pay off is going to be. I know how close things are down the line and I am excited about that. Every year is a good year, some are just better than others.”

Posted in: Fall sports, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Amarie' Bryant, Antonio Darden, Blake Bell, Darwin Fletcher, Dawson Fletcher, Dustin Parker, football, Jordan Darling, Justin Martin, Lakota West, Lakota West football, Lakota West sports, Larry Cox, Malik Grove, Marcus Davis, Mike Kelly, Peair Foster, photo gallery, photos, Ryan Kelly, Tyler Jones, Tyler Williams