Written by: Will Hoenike
The Lakeside Knights completed a bit of a trade of sorts during the offseason, with defensive coordinator Jeremy Buell ascending to the role of head coach for the 1A Division 2 program located in Plummer. Meanwhile, Tyler Petty, last season’s head coach, will stay on staff as a member of Buell’s staff as an offensive assistant this year.
Buell isn’t stepping into an unknown situation. As the team’s defensive coordinator last season, he knows his team’s personnel well. He said the program has about 17 players on the roster this season with about a half-dozen who played meaningful roles for Lakeside last season.
Two of those players were recognized for their performance by being named to the All-North Star League team. Senior RB/DB Qwincy Hall and junior RB/LB Jarius Moffitt both return after receiving those accolades last season and will play key roles for the Knights this year.
Senior Liam Hendricks returns as the team’s quarterback with Hall and Moffitt behind him. Junior Layne Morris and senior Devin Beebe look to be key blockers up front on offense. The team will look to be a little more consistent on offense this year after averaging about 23 points per game last season. But that average reflects a wide spectrum, from two shutout losses to a pair of games of over 50 points. The experience in the backfield and upfront should help with that.
Buell lauds his team’s toughness. Beebe and sophomore Julian Moffitt will be key to the team’s defense as the defensive ends. In the 8-man game, the ability to contain quarterbacks and running backs without letting them easily turn the corner is vital. If Beebe and the younger Moffitt have success in that capacity, the Knights have good players behind them, like the elder Moffitt and Hall, that should be able to minimize big plays against them.
The Knights open with a stern test, hosting explosive 1A Division 1 foe Logos on August 25. A pivotal game could be the following week when Lakeside hosts North Star rival Wallace. Those two teams will be competing with perennial league bullies Mullan/St. Regis and Clark Fork for an opportunity to reach the 1A Division 2 playoffs so the winner of that September 1 matchup will get an early leg up in the race.