PRZNY Team Previews: Lockport Lions

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (7-4)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockport lost 3 of their first four games in 2023. However, two of those losses were against eventual Section VI champions. The first was a week 1 defeat to Class AA champions, Bennett. Then they lost week 3 in overtime to Clarence of Class A. The Lions went on a 6 game winning streak until they reached the sectional finals at Highmark Stadium and fell to Clarence once again.</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":["527728"],"_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-66ba918158f75"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='527728' first='Tray' last='Thompson'] is an excellent WR/DB athlete that can make plays from anywhere on the field. He has excellent instincts and is incredibly fast. Thompson made All-State in his junior season as a Strong Safety and was 2nd on the team in receiving. With Shey Williams graduating, this will be Tray's time to shine.</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":["806839"],"_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-66ba918159017"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his sophomore year, [player_tooltip player_id='806839' first='Graham' last='Schultz'] put a lot of people on notice when he led Lockport to the Section VI finals. Schutz is a quick decision-maker with good awareness in the pocket. He likes to stretch the field and display his deep ball accuracy. The Lions will need a big season out of him if they want to get back to the stadium.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806445"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1369542,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-66ba91815907e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806445' first='Lucas' last='Stiglmeier'] is a two-way starter that plays hard and physical. As an OT, he was a pivotal part of Lockport's rushing success which earned him All-State and All-WNY honors. But DE may be his best position. He is a standup EDGE rusher with keen awareness. Lucas recorded 67 tackles (7 for loss) and 3 sacks in his junior season. The Lions will be looking to Stiglmeier for leadership in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806838"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1369544,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-66ba9181590df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The stat sheets don't show it but [player_tooltip player_id='806838' first='Jahkwon' last='Davis'] was a big part of the Lions success last season. Davis is a speedy rusher that is always looking to break it outside. When a running lane closes, he is quick to change direction and cut to the other side. He was also an exceptional OLB where he had a critical 35 yard pick-six in the sectional semi-finals. Lockport will need to involve Jahkwon more this coming year.</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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1743112' first='Patrick' last='Luke']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"193","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lockport","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ba9647862ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1743112' first='Patrick' last='Luke'] is a solid OLB with good footwork and sound awareness. He looked pretty raw in his first varsity season although he did make a splash in week 1, returning a fumble recovery for a TD. Luke was unheralded as a sophomore but with the loss of several key components to their defense, a lot will be asked of this talented athlete in 2024.</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><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Notes</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='806837' first='Devin' last='Darrell']</td><td>2025</td><td>A C/DT that is the heart of both the O &amp; D Line</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>Trevor Wallace</td><td>2025</td><td>A stout run defender and a massive presence at 6'3 360lbs</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Aidan Morris</td><td>2025</td><td>An aggressive RT with a long reach that can open holes for the running game</td></tr><tr><td>WR/DB</td><td>Sterling Pierce</td><td>2025</td><td>A solid shutdown CB and an exceptional blocking WR</td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1743162' first='Noah' last='Bohlman']</td><td>2026</td><td>A playmaking FS that had 4 INTs as a sophomore in 2023</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>ATH</td><td>Shey Williams</td><td>University at Buffalo</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Tristan Grimball</td><td>3rd Team All-State</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>Liam Whalen</td><td>1st Team All-WNY</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1369538,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Lockport-Lions-Football-Schedule.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1369538" /><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>Trait Smith (Entering his 7th season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockport will be going up to Class AA for the 2024 season. They begin the season on the road against former division rival, Williamsville North. Then they hit a string of newly acquired divisional foes in Lancaster, Jamestown and Orchard Park; three extraordinary programs. After two home games against North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls, Lockport will travel to Buffalo to take on three-time defending Class AA champions, the Bennett Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The</strong> <strong>Lions</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid air attack led by Junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='806839' first='Graham' last='Schultz'] and playmaker, [player_tooltip player_id='527728' first='Tray' last='Thompson']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A homerun hitting ground attack with [player_tooltip player_id='806838' first='Jahkwon' last='Davis'] carrying the ball and senior linemen [player_tooltip player_id='806445' first='Lucas' last='Stiglmeier'] and [player_tooltip player_id='806837' first='Devin' last='Darrell'] opening holes</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An opportunistic defense with a ballhawking secondary</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Their schedule. Lockport had an exceptional season in Class A last year but being moved up to Class AA will bring about tougher opponents in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lockport has a remarkable team with great talent across the board but their jump to Class AA makes for an uphill battle. The Lions may win more games than they lose and pull off a couple of upsets but when the playoffs hit, they will be playing programs with several championships under their belts. Lockport enter 2024 as underdogs and they should have that mentality week in/week out.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->