2025 Preview: Lexington Wildcats

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stewart Young spent the last 20 years at Saluda. Eleven of those years were as the head coach where he won a state title with the Tigers in 2019.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young feels he can coach another 20 years, and the challenge of putting his stamp on a Lexington program that went 5-6 in 2024 was intriguing to him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"(I'm) kind of at that point in my life where I wanted to try something different, maybe step out of my comfort zone, go somewhere where I could grow a little more. And then try to lead Lexington to some really big things. That's the plan,” Young told us at the Prep Redzone Media Day at Westwood earlier this month.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1191778' first='Shannon' last='Lytes'] </strong>is an expected starter at running back as a sophomore offensively, along with sophomore <strong>Leon Taylor </strong>and senior <strong>Sawyer Headley </strong>at wide receiver.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A good majority of the defense played on JV in 2024, and some will have the opportunity to contribute on Friday nights this fall. Junior <strong>Caleb Schrodt </strong>and senior <strong>Cam Morris </strong>are the projected starters at linebacker along with senior <strong>William Brooks. </strong><strong>Andrew Tworzyanski </strong>will hold down the outside linebacker spot, while <strong>Lawson Ott </strong>will be one of the guys at corner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a good mix of sophomores and seniors on the roster, and building that continuity will be key as the 2025 season opener on the road against Gilbert approaches on August 22.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“My expectation is to play a big leader role on this team. We've got a lot of younger guys who have to step up and play a bigger role this year, like first year starters on varsity. One of my main goals is getting those guys prepared for Friday night games and trying to get their confidence up and stuff like that. And also, (I want to) play a big role on offense in scoring touchdowns,” senior wide receiver <strong>Nigel Lewis</strong> said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nigel Lewis</strong> WR, 2026 – Lewis lines up primarily on the outside and is a consistent threat to catch the ball. He can go up and catch the ball at its highest point and help keep the offense on schedule. He knows how to get open and get into his routes so the quarterback can get the ball to them. He has good size for the position as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2025: “I've been working on a lot of after the catch stuff. Last year, I struggled with making plays after the catch and that's one of my main goals this year: Not to just catch the ball in the end zone but be an explosive guy after the catch.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Something he feels he can take to another level: “I think my ability to block is very good. Being able to get in there and block a linebacker if I have to and use my size to my advantage, being 180 (pounds) at receiver. I also think my contact catches are really good. I'm able to high point the ball over multiple defenders at once and those are probably some of my best abilities.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expectations heading into 2025: “My expectation is to play a big leader role on this team. We've got a lot of younger guys who have to step up and play a bigger role this year, like first year starters on varsity. One of my main goals is getting those guys prepared for Friday night games and trying to get their confidence up and stuff like that</em>.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1676328' first='Isaiah' last='Saxon']</strong> DL, 2026 – Saxon (pictured above) will be one of the leaders on the defensive line in 2025. He can plug up the running lanes and is able to get in and make a tackle on the ball carrier. He's been working to improve his pass rush skills and his fundamentals and he has a better understanding of what to do at the position. We expect him to have a big senior year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2025: “As a d-end, I've really been focusing on my pass rush because I feel like, in this game and stuff, not a lot of people teach you about the fundamentals as a d-end, how to work moves and teach you how to bull rush but I feel like since then, I've come a long way in knowing how to tone my skills and be a better defensive end and come off the ball and know what to do.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Something he feels he can take to another level: “I feel like it's really good for me now to be able to understand what an o-lineman is doing to be able to read what they're doing off the ball. I feel like since last year, I got way better at it.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expectations heading into 2025: “I'm trying to get the team ready and stuff. Step up and be a big part. For myself, I'm trying to get to that point when the season starts, I'll be ready to go out there and show the skills I've taken from the camps and going to different schools.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wesley Gorsage </strong>TE, 2026 – Gorsage returns for his senior season and is an impactful blocker in the run game in being able to open up holes for his guys to run through. He has been spending the offseason working to become a better pass catcher and finding ways to be impactful that way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Transition with new coach Stewart Young: “I think we're getting coached harder. I think it's only going to get better from where we were last year and at the end of the season.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Improvements heading into 2025: “I think I'm just trying to focus on route running and being a better athlete, and a better playmaker on the field.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Something he feels he can take to another level: “My ability to catch and make plays downfield. I just noticed myself being smarter and having a better IQ going out in the game.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Expectations heading into 2025: “Our expectation is to win. And to win playoff games and go to the playoffs and go as far as we can. As for myself, I just want to be a playmaker and a leader.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>William Brooks </strong>LB, 2026 – Brooks returns to the Wildcats for his senior season and he is a sure tackler in space. He can fill the ally well and he takes good angles to the ball. He runs at full speed and wants to do everything he can to make life difficult for the opposing offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Avery Coyle</strong> QB, 2027 – Coyle had a solid year as a sophomore for the Wildcats, and it will be interesting to see what the new coaching staff has in mind for him going into his junior season. When you turn on his film, he can stand in the face of pressure and make throws right up the pike to his receivers. When it comes to the 50/50 balls against man coverage, he puts it where only his guys can get it and no one else.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19843338/673d353328075f250ead5d65' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6887af4e95617"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lorenzo Katio </strong>DB – Katio averaged six tackles per game as a senior, and the Wildcats will be looking to replace that production defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bennett Watford </strong>DB – Watford was a consistent presence on the Wildcats defense as a senior and his ability to make tackles will be missed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cam Wright</strong> and <strong>Cross George</strong> DB, 2027 – Both defensive backs are projected starters for the Wildcats this fall. Young is excited about what they can bring to the table in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1312555"],"_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-6887af4e976bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Coffman transferred in from Ben Lippen and saw action as a freshman. He made his action count with his ability to diagnose plays and then get in and be involved in making the tackle. He has a good stance from his linebacker position and will only continue to mature with time. We'll be interested to see if he can find his way into the rotation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17652511/67e2bd858b133bc4a8f36cf1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003ern","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6887af4e976fa"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->