Team Preview: Lutheran North

Kyle Wagner feels blessed. The new Lutheran North football coach is back with the Crusaders after leaving his position as an assistant to become the head coach at Ritenour for the 2020-21 school year. Wagner was set to become Sikeston’s head coach when Carl Reed announced he was leaving North to become the head coach at De Smet. Then Wagner was hired to lead the Crusaders, who he helped win a state championship as offensive coordinator in 2019. "I’m blessed at the age of 33 to come in and take over one of the top programs in the state and one of the top two or three programs in the area," Wagner said. "I’m blessed. And these seniors, they believe in me. They got to see me call the defense their freshman year and then their sophomore year they watched me call the offense. ... We have a bond already, which, whenever you’re taking over a program, it’s nice to have that relationship with those kids." Lutheran North went 5-1 a year ago under Reed during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. Since the start of the 2019 season, they the Crusaders won the Class 3 title, they have won 19 of 20 games. "I honestly love this team," Wagner said. "We don’t have any superstar-attitude types. It’s a brotherhood. These guys genuinely care about each other." Here is a quick look at some of the Lutheran North players to watch this fall... <strong>CLASS OF 2022</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37531" first="Brian" last="Brown"], 6-1, 180, QB</strong> A three-year starter, Brown led North to the state championship in his sophomore season and is 20-1 as a starter, Wagner said. "He’s just a winner," the coach said. "... He just makes plays when you need them." As a sophomore, Brown completed 65% of his passes for 2,042 yards, with 26 touchdowns against three interceptions, and ran for 479 yards and nine scores. Last season, he passed for 453 yards, with six touchdowns and three interceptions, and ran for 214 yards and two touchdowns. Wagner said Southern Illinois and Indiana State are the main schools recruiting Brown. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323847/5fbec067d45e9c09b44a5633" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37525" first="Caldra" last="Williford"], 5-10, 175, DB</strong> North’s top defensive back, Williford is a "special player," Wagner said. He recorded 22 tackles in six games last season after recorded 43 tackles and five interceptions as a sophomore. Williford was orally committed to Kansas, but opened his recruiting after the coaching change there. "One of the main leaders on our team and in our program," Wagner said. "He had a lot of opportunities early on. He has a chip on his shoulder with how some of his recruiting has gone." The coach said Williford is talking to Arkansas State and Southern Illinois. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323892/5fbda1ca02bc97022cf22a0c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37593" first="Jaylen" last="Banks"], 6-4, 270, DT</strong> Banks had a breakout season as a junior when he recorded 34 tackles and two sacks in just six games. "Obviously the anchor of our defense up front," Wagner said. "One of the leaders of our program. Does everything right." The coach praised Bank’s motor and his impact as a disruptor in the passing game. A Power 5 recruit, Banks has offers from Memphis, Minnesota, Syracuse and Kansas but could attract more interest with a strong season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12472872/5fae060c04284b0b943fb822" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171824" first="Jaylin" last="Carson"], 6-1, 200, RB</strong> Wagner has high hopes for Carson, who rushed for 420 yards and seven touchdowns in six games last season, as the lead back after the transfers of [player_tooltip player_id="37526" first="Ali" last="Wells"] and [player_tooltip player_id="37524" first="Toriano" last="Pride"] to East St. Louis. "His nickname is ’Tank’ and that’s how he runs the ball," Wagner said. "... He’s a kid that can carry the load. He’s a Power 5 guy." The coach thinks Carson could rush for 1,500-2,000 yards this fall. Carson reported offers from Kansas and Iowa State after last season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323848/5fb348e190ef62037c460a83" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171851" first="Aleem" last="Glass"], 6-3, 250, TE-DE</strong> The younger brother of former North standout Aqeel Glass, who has put up big numbers as Alabama A&amp;M’s quarterback. The younger Glass is a Division I prospect as well after receiving a scholarship offer from Alabama A&amp;M on Saturday. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323740/5fbdfd29a018da03b0eda5d6" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171954" first="Josiah" last="James"], 6-2, 260, OL</strong> The Crusaders’ center, Wagner said James is their anchor up front and probably the smartest kid in the North program. The coach expects James to get looks from FCS and Division II schools if he has a good season. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323885/5fbe82ca90f03a08201eb6c0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="37585" first="Khari" last="Loggins"], 6-5, 285, OL</strong> Wagner said Loggins is a dominant left tackle and could be a Power 5 offensive lineman. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323884/5fb6d638f31c8509442ab4c9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171955" first="Kevon" last="Jacobs"], 5-8, 175, WR</strong> Jacobs was a contributor on the state championship team as a sophomore and is a versatile playmaker as well as an explosive deep threat. "He’s a gamer and plays with tremendous heart," Wagner said. "He could lead us in touchdowns this season. he’s also a great blocker on the perimeter." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323881/5fb2bb74b53e56052403b0f3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171956" first="Julian" last="Atkins"], 6-0, 220, DE</strong> Wagner said Atkins is undersized but is one of the strongest guys on the team. "He has a motor and can play," the coach said. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323831/60cf493c32e6cf0bc86ed7cd" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171856" first="Jamez" last="Lee"], 6-4, 225, MLB</strong> Wagner said Lee changed his body, shedding weight from 240 pounds so he could make the move from defensive end to linebacker. "His ceiling is extremely high," the coach said. "He has NFL-type size at that spot. ... He is the first guy off the bus." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11323887/5fbe0516a018da03b0edae1e" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>CLASS OF 2023</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172162" first="Maverick" last="Reed"], 5-10, 180, S-WR</strong> Reed transferred from McCluer North midway through his sophomore year and is expected to start at safety and slot receiver. "He’s a fast guy, physical," Wagner said. "He runs like a running back when he has the ball." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12994946/60d367af02bc9303c4e146f4" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172163" first="Rico" last="Merriweather"], 6-1, 170, OLB</strong> The coach said Merriweather is a guy who has worked non-stop since he arrived at North and will finally get his opportunity on the field at outside linebacker. "He’s just a heady player," Wagner said. "Smart guy. Does his job well. He’s not huge, but he’ll always be in position to make the right play." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172164" first="Marquis" last="Coleman"], 6-4, 220, DE</strong> Wagner said Coleman is one of those throwback type of players. "Great motor," the coach said. "Plays with his hands. Long arms. Keeps the offensive lineman off him. Twitchy hips. Tough dude." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172167" first="Ricky" last="Dixon"], 5-9, 175, WR-CB</strong> A starter at wide receiver and cornerback, Wagner said Dixon is a versatile player who can move around anywhere, including running back, and has a knack for finding the end zone. "At some point he could become one of our go-to guys," the coach said. "That could be this season or next season." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172168" first="Marvin" last="Stringfellow"], 6-4, 280, OL</strong> The starting left guard is also a baseball player. "He’s super athletic for his size," Wagner said. "He has the ability to play Power 5 football." <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13192152/60e3d04f32e7430d1470e454" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Caleb Fuller, 5-10, 165, K</strong> Wagner had high praise for his kicker, who is the younger brother of former North kicker Jacob Fuller. "Right now he can consistently make it from 42 (yards) out," the coach said. <strong>CLASS OF 2024</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172169" first="Demetrious" last="Jones"], 6-3, 260, OL</strong> The team’s starting right guard is aggressive and finishes blocks, the coach said. "He’s probably one of the toughest guys on the team," Wagner said. "His future is bright as long as he takes care of business in the classroom." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172170" first="Louis" last="Jordan"], 6-4, 255, OL</strong> The team’s starting right tackle, Wagner said he’s tough and a hard-nosed guy, though still a bit raw at the position. "Every day we work he gets so much better," the coach said. "... He could be a Power-5 guy if he takes care of his academics." <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="172172" first="Jordan" last="Carter"], 5-8, 150, DB-WR</strong> Carter’s older brother, Jerrell, was a contributor for the Crusaders the past two seasons. Wagner said Jordan is more explosive and just as heady as Jerrell was. "He is part of the rotation right now," the coach said. "He’s explosive with the ball in his hands." <em><strong>You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/natelatsch">@natelatsch</a>.</strong></em> &nbsp;