High School Football Preview: A Closer Look at the Lancaster Golden Gales

LANCASTER — The high school football season gets underway in less than two weeks in what should be another exciting year.

With the Ohio High School Athletic Association expanding the playoffs to 16 teams from each region qualifying for the postseason a few years ago, there is an excellent opportunity for even more teams to play in the postseason. The playoffs will begin on Nov. 1.

Here is a closer look at the Gales preparing for their season opener on Aug. 23.

More: Down and dirty: Lancaster has quality first scrimmage against Watterson and Grove City

More: Here are 10 area high school football players to keep an eye on as football season nears

LANCASTER

Coach: Bryan Schoonover (fourth season)

Conference: Ohio Capital Conference-Buckeye Division

2022 record: 5-6

Key returners: Conor Christopher, Sr., OL/DL; Gavin Framer, Sr., OL/DL; Seth Carson, Sr., OL/DL; Cody McCoy, Sr., QB/LB; Brody Burke, Jr., QB/DB; Kam Griffith, Jr., TE/DL; Kevin Monohon, Sr., TE/DL; Kelton Fisher, Sr., WR/DB; Adley Karnes, Sr., OL/DL; Davis Thomas, Sr., TE/LB; Caiel Woody, Sr., RB/DL; Isaiah Sweatte, Jr., RB/DB.

Key newcomers: Aaron Banna, Sr., OL/DL; Zavier Havlicek, Jr., RB/DB; Nick Evans, Jr., OL/DL; Drew Whitlach, Jr., WR/DB; Kaleb Santini, Jr., WR/DB; Braylon Young, Jr., WR/DB; Jahmier Gordon, Ryder Smith, Soph., WR/DB; Jack Pompey, Soph., WR/DB; Mekha Onyedumekwu, Jr., OL/DL; Lancon Knoch, Jr., TE/LB.

Coach Schoonover’s take: “We have to develop our depth quickly, and our younger guys that will be playing a lot, need to develop fast. We lost a lot of skill last year and return one guy in Brody Burke, so everyone else will be new. Some of them played JV, but Friday nights will be different. Defensively, we have to replace the guys who graduated, so for us, it’s just bringing those young guys along quickly and finding depth in spots. I like the fact that this team likes to compete. They are excited and they want to get after and do good things. This is a group of guys that work hard, and when we are practice, they like to get after it, so those are things that you can build and things that you can work through.”

What to expect: A year after going 5-5 during the regular season and losing a heartbreaker in the first round of the playoffs, the Gales will look to build on that momentum. The offensive line looks to be a strength with three returning senior starters and junior quarterback Brody Burke. Lancaster has several playmakers that have the potential to make their mark. As always, winning early is important to build confidence, and the fact Lancaster plays six home games should go a long way. The Gales have not had a winning season since 2018, but they certainly have the pieces in place to do that this year.

Schedule

Aug. 23 Akron North

Aug. 30 Wayne Valley (NJ)

Sept. 6 at Marysville

Sept. 13 at Teays Valley

Sept. 20 Groveport

Sept. 27 Pickerington Central

Oct. 4 at Logan

Oct. 11 Reynoldsburg

Oct. 18 Canal Winchester

Oct. 25 at Newark

Tom Wilson is a sports reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. Contact him at 740-689-5150 or via email at twilson@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @twil2323.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: High School Football Preview: A Closer Look at the Lancaster Golden Gales