LUCAS — The Lucas Cubs took their community on an unforgettable ride last fall.
A deep playoff run galvanized the entire community.
This year coach Scott Spitler said his team knows it has work to do building on that legacy.
“They’ll have to go out and earn it, and we can only do that one game at a time,” the head coach said. “We really like the kids returning and the new kids we’ve worked really, really hard to try and fill the spots we lost after last year.”
Those missing gaps the graduating seniors left were large holes, leading the Cubs to an 11-2 mark and a regional finals appearance.
“(The team) wants to continue the success. They have made the playoffs the last two seasons, and they want to push themselves to go further than what we’ve done in the last few years,” Spitler said “That’s what is driving their work ethic right now.”
Spitler is excited to suit up four veteran linemen on offense.
Led by senior All-Ohio offensive tackle Jacob Arnold, the Cubs will bring back experience in the trenches. Center Jacob Robertson, left tackle Kody Thompson and Joe King at tight end will join Arnold in creating a formidable front.
“We’re still working out who will step up and win the quarterback and fullback positions,” Spitler said.
The orange and black will have two returning lettermen running backs fill the starting slots: Junior Jackson Hauger and Zeb Grover.
“I think our offense is a little ahead of our defense in terms of less holes to fill. I think that’s where our experience lies,” Spitler said. “We have a few less holes to fill due to graduation than we do on defense.”
The Mid-Ohio Conference is annually a tough and competitive conference, the head coach said.
“There’s not a lot of us in the league, but those who do play good football,” Spitler said. “It’s a knock-down, drag-out each week.”
But Cubs are ready for the Friday night lights, the coach said.
“I’m excited for these kids,” he said. “We have a little bit bigger roster than we had the last few years, numbers-wise, and they seem to have a really good work ethic.”
