Those of you that think next year will be "down" year are sadly mistaken. Many believe 2018 and 2019 will be as good or better than any team that has been there. This year's D-Line and a few key skill players will be gone, and the impact of Ayers and Lucas will be sorely missed, but the prospects coming up to replace them are very good and getting better every snap.
Lamar returns the entire defensive backfield save one linebacker, and there is a very good next year senior ready to replace him, that played extremely well all year in JV and the out of hand varsity games. The D-Line is probably the biggest question mark in most minds, but there are 4 juniors next year that have played together since 7th grade that are as good now as most D-Lines Lamar has had in the past. Size, speed, athleticism, with the 'hit you hard" mentality.
Gepner returns at one QB, after a tremendous end of the season. He really stepped up in McKarus' absence, and his toughness was more than proven in the last three games this year. Hardman also returns for his senior year, who looks more like his well-known older brother every snap. Medlin returns as well, and speed like his has been rare even in this program, including his state record 91 yard run in the state championship game. There are 3-4 other key players that have taken countless varsity, jv, and scout reps this season including a promising next year sophomore in Tucker. The O-Line loses four key 2 year starters, but there are 5-6 big next year senior and junior kids that have played a lot this year and will fill those roles nicely.
The 2017 Lamar team made more history despite battling the most injury adversity the team has had during this run. Everyone knows about McKarus, and Danner late, but many don't mention losing the center before the final two games, and being without a key O-lineman most of the year, that wasn't near 100% when he was able to return. It's stands to reason that the offense wasn't quite as potent as it has been, but the defense made up for it, as is often the case with good teams.
One thing is for sure, whatever happens, the Lamar fans know their coach will continue business as usual, and there is nobody better to keep the momentum going. It sure doesn't matter what the Lou teams say on twitter and what we experts say on here and other boards, when the pads go on, the BS stops.
Lamar returns the entire defensive backfield save one linebacker, and there is a very good next year senior ready to replace him, that played extremely well all year in JV and the out of hand varsity games. The D-Line is probably the biggest question mark in most minds, but there are 4 juniors next year that have played together since 7th grade that are as good now as most D-Lines Lamar has had in the past. Size, speed, athleticism, with the 'hit you hard" mentality.
Gepner returns at one QB, after a tremendous end of the season. He really stepped up in McKarus' absence, and his toughness was more than proven in the last three games this year. Hardman also returns for his senior year, who looks more like his well-known older brother every snap. Medlin returns as well, and speed like his has been rare even in this program, including his state record 91 yard run in the state championship game. There are 3-4 other key players that have taken countless varsity, jv, and scout reps this season including a promising next year sophomore in Tucker. The O-Line loses four key 2 year starters, but there are 5-6 big next year senior and junior kids that have played a lot this year and will fill those roles nicely.
The 2017 Lamar team made more history despite battling the most injury adversity the team has had during this run. Everyone knows about McKarus, and Danner late, but many don't mention losing the center before the final two games, and being without a key O-lineman most of the year, that wasn't near 100% when he was able to return. It's stands to reason that the offense wasn't quite as potent as it has been, but the defense made up for it, as is often the case with good teams.
One thing is for sure, whatever happens, the Lamar fans know their coach will continue business as usual, and there is nobody better to keep the momentum going. It sure doesn't matter what the Lou teams say on twitter and what we experts say on here and other boards, when the pads go on, the BS stops.
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