Attention to detail key for McCutcheon offensive line ahead of West Lafayette

LAFAYETTE — There was sense of urgency heard in the tone and voice of McCutcheon coach Josh Strasser.

Strasser was organizing his team's blocking scheme in preparation for McCutcheon's home opener against West Lafayette this Friday.

McCutcheon is a program on the rebuild under Strasser, having three straight losing seasons between 2020 and 2022 before a break through 6-4 finish in 2023.

But it's still a work in progress for the Mavericks who are still learning their offensive identity under first-year quarterback senior Lonnie Griffin.

Senior Alex Luna leads a revamped offensive line with senior Colten Freeman now moving to tight end after playing guard on the offensive line in 2023.

Griffin was sacked eight times in a 36-17 loss to Guerin Catholic in week one.

"We are just trying to get rid of the little mistakes," Freeman said. "Last week each play we had one little thing that blew up the whole play. So we are trying to get rid of all that and trying to get better each day."

Luna knows his team can perform at a higher level and McCutcheon found some success passing in the first quarter and in the run game in the second half.

Griffin threw two touchdown passes to wide receiver Broderick Arnold and junior Riley Walden rushed for 46 yards on four carries.

More: Which team climbed atop the Lafayette area football power rankings heading to Week 2?

"Once we started running it up the middle a little bit, we started getting good yards," Luna said.

McCutcheon (0-1) led by Luna, looks to regain its swagger at home at Ellison Stadium against West Lafayette — a program it hasn't beaten since 2016.

"I'm ready to see everyone happy and the stands packed," Luna said. "All the little kids looking up to us for the win."

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com , on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson .

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Attention to detail key for McCutcheon offensive line ahead of West Lafayette