PRZNY Team Previews: Lackawanna Steelers

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (8-1)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lackawanna started last season as Section VI champions from Class C. in 2023, they were moved to Class B and had a flawless regular season. The Steelers won all 8 games and secured the #1 seed in the playoffs. But in the first round, they were upset by #8 ranked South Park, 28-24.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1202404"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a819fd8d56e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Class of 2027 Prep RedZone rankings have yet to be released but once they are, I am confident [player_tooltip player_id='1202404' first='Tyrone' last='Clark'] will be amongst the top RB prospects in New York State. Clark took Section VI by storm as a freshman, running for more than 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns in 9 games. Tyrone has fantastic vision and breakaway speed. Lackawanna will be looking for another big season from the playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three X-Factors</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747246"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a819fd8d5f1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='747246' first='Laferald' last='Hines Jr'] is a complete Defensive End that can stuff the run as well as rush the passer. Hines led the Steelers with 11 sacks in 2023. Laferald plays with aggression and has the speed to match. His determination to bring down ball carriers is tremendous and will be big part for Lackawanna's success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806443"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a819fd8d64f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lackawanna's breakout player last season was [player_tooltip player_id='806443' first='Sam' last='Ikegwuonu']. Ikegwuonu led the team in tackles as a DT with 98 (24 for loss), adding 6 sacks. He has a great blend of strength, power and athleticism. Sam made 1st team All-State and All-Western New York honors and I expect him to have a repeat performance as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648806"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a819fd8d6ab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='648806' first='Amir' last='Douglas'] may be the most complete two-way player on Lackawanna's roster. A three year varsity career has proven Douglas to be a force as a Running Back and Linebacker. His speed and toughness makes him an excellent compliment in their ground and pound attack while his awareness, agility and top-tier football instincts puts him in the conversation as one of the top defenders in New York State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1344712"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a819fd8d705"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1344712' first='Kurt' last='Stevens'] is a Top-100 prospect in the state but his overall phenomenal blocking prowess was overlooked by his peers last year. Stevens was a major factor in the Steelers successful running game and will be once again. Kurt is extraordinarily strong, has a high football IQ and will be in the trench trophy conversation for the next two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Position</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Player</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Class</th><th class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">WR</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">[player_tooltip player_id='1355864' first='LeSean' last='Braxton Jr']</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">A big, physical receiver expected to be their primary target in 2024</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Jaykwon Torres</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2025</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">An aggressive DT with good hand technique that is a huge part of their run defense</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">QB</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Michael Moore</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Accurate passer going into his junior season to prove there is more to their offense than a fierce ground game</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">DL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Reggie Jackson</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">2026</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">A two-way linemen with good technique that should add more recognition to Lackawanna's dominant front</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Losses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">OL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Rayshawn Handley</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Trench Trophy Finalist</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">OL</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Joseph Acevedo</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">All WNY Honoree</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">ATH</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Vincent Arroyo</td><td class="has-text-align-center" data-align="center">Playmaker in all three phases of the game</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1352925,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Lackawanna-Steelers-2024-Schedule.jpg?w=634" alt="" class="wp-image-1352925" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Marcus Rivers (Entering his 3rd season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With so many programs in Class B and a division realignment, Lackawanna will be taking on several new schools this season. Their biggest challenges this year will be October 5th when they travel an hour and a half south to take on reigning Class D champions, Clymer/Sherman/Panama and October 26th when they host the Maryvale Flyers. Maryvale, just like Lackawanna, had an undefeated 2023 regular season but were surprisingly defeated in the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The Steelers</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lackawanna is a team that can control the trenches with standout linemen like [player_tooltip player_id='806443' first='Sam' last='Ikegwuonu'], [player_tooltip player_id='747246' first='Laferald' last='Hines Jr'] and class of '26 rising stars, [player_tooltip player_id='1344712' first='Kurt' last='Stevens'] and Reggie Jackson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An electrifying ground game led by sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='1202404' first='Tyrone' last='Clark']. Senior and top 100 prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='648806' first='Amir' last='Douglas'] plays an excellent compliment to Clark</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Steelers have many highly touted, collegiate prospects; 5 of which are ranked in the top 100 of their class by Prep RedZone</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Can Lackawanna stretch the field with a consistent air attack? Their running game was so effective, starting QB Michael Moore threw the ball less than 100 times last season. #1 wideout, Vincent Arroyo is gone leaving [player_tooltip player_id='648806' first='Amir' last='Douglas'] and unheralded but very effective, [player_tooltip player_id='1283698' first='Le'Sean' last='Braxton Jr'] as the only players from last season that saw significant targets. More players will have to be involved in their passing game in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I like the old school style of football; run the ball and play sound defense. Few teams do that better than Lackawanna. Even when everybody knew they were going to run the ball, the Steelers were still able to put up over 2,000 yards in 9 games including almost 200 in a losing effort in the post-season. But when teams are one dimensional, they eventually get figured out. I like Lackawanna and what they have going for them. I think they will have a very good season and will enter the playoffs in the top 4 of Class B. How far they get from there will depend a lot on game planning and the ability to adjust.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->