2023 Record: 3-6 overall, 1-6 in Flyway (7th)
Did not qualify for postseason. Last postseason appearance: 2022 (Lost in Level 2)
Key Losses: WR/S Sawyer Schultis, QB Keeton Grade, DL Matt Leonard & Cooper Schultz
Key Returners: RB Jack Rens, FB Colton Hagner, WR Nick Blank, K Ethan Van Beek
Last year was a rebuilding year for the Laconia Spartans during coach Joe Leadley’s second season in charge.
This season might bring similar challenges as Laconia attempts to replace production in the passing game and in the trenches.
Keeton Grade and Sawyer Schultis quarterbacked eight and two games, respectively. The now-graduated duo combined for 678 yards passing, but also turned the ball over seven times.
Junior Jack Rens is one of the bright spots returning on the offensive side for the Spartans. He ran for 671 yards and scored four touchdowns in 2023. He ranks third amongst returning players in the conference.
“Jack is going to be a key for us,” Leadley said. “Last year he was more of a contributor as a sophomore so we hope that he can continue that rise of his production this year as a junior.”
Laconia also got solid production out of their fullback Colton Hagner, for he scored six times and was relied on as the lead blocker in the running game.
Leadley said he thinks that the Spartans are set up to give their quarterback a chance to succeed, regardless of who that ends up being.
“We’ve got some good receivers in Parker Laper and Nick Blank,” Leadley said. “Rhett [Gerrits] could be a good receiver for us and we’ve got a good fullback in Colton, so we do think we have some skill guys.”
Leadley highlighted junior Owen Leonard among the linemen as someone he expects to be a leader in the trenches.
Rens said he thinks the team will have to get things right on the offensive line again as well as figure out who will be able to reliably handle the QB position.
“We’ve got to have good blocking up front, that’s a big one,” Rens said. “We have a new quarterback so we have to get things situated there and then special teams is going to be a big thing.”
Special teams is where Laconia figures to be among the best in the conference if it can find a long snapper and holder for their stellar junior kicker Ethan Van Beek.
Van Beek was the best kicker in the Flyway in 2023, going 5-for-5 with a long of 39 yards and making 15-of-17 extra points. He also punts, which Leadley said is a key for Laconia’s defense.
“What he does will hopefully pin opponents deeper and allow our defense to have a longer field to defend,” Leadley said. “We hope he provides what we want again in that regard.”
Hagner figures to be the leader defensively. He was one of the top defenders in the conference at turning opponents over last year with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Leadley said that Leonard will also play defensive line this year, which he did not do in 2023 because an injury limited his snap count.
“We have the personnel, it’s just a matter of whether we can hold up to the pounding and the physicality that the elite teams give us,” Leadley said.
Leadley praised his defensive coordinator, Justin Stigler, and his ability to organize that side of the ball.
“He always has a good plan for our kids so that we’re in the right spot and getting lined up properly,” Leadley said.
Comments