Why Lawrence North Can Win It All

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawrence North is coming off a 2024 season that looked well on the way of being a storybook ending. After a rough-and-tumble start against rival Lawrence North, a game they won by just seven points, the Wildcats were dominant, winning every other game of the regular season by double-digit margins. They captured their first sectional championship since 2021 and appeared destined for a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All that, though, was brought to a halt when they fell by the slimmest of margins - a 22-21 score - to eventual 6A state champions Brownsburg. The good news is that head coach Pat Mallory' team is locked and loaded for 2025. Here's why they can win a state championship this season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Playmakers on offense. Lawrence North returns two young and key pieces on offense: running back [player_tooltip player_id='632393' first='Izayveon' last='Moore'] and wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='631962' first='Monshun' last='Sales'], both 2027 prospects. Moore is a very elusive tailback with great top-end juice. With his rare height and speed combination, Sales, meanwhile, is regarded as being one of the top two receivers in the nation (only Jamier Brown out of Wayne High School in Ohio is ranked higher). Those two prospects, with an added year of development where players tend to make a big jump forward, return for the Wildcats.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>The core of the defense returns. The Wildcats have some very valuable and experienced returning starters on defense notably linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1689926' first='Jeb' last='Brown'] and Western Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id='1705075' first='Breck' last='Mallory'], and defensive back Jaden Lusende, who holds an offer from Bowling Green. Brown is a tough and rugged linebacker who holds several small school offers.<br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Momentum. Sometimes you can tell when a program is on the upswing and Lawrence North has that vibe. The Wildcats, who were in 6A's basement for many years, had their best season under Mallory, jumping from a 4-6 recored in 2022 and 7-4 record in 2023 to an 11-win season last season. This is clearly a program on an upward trajectory for years to come.<br><br><br></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list -->