L-C to rely on perimeter power
One of Dillon Maney’s goals when he became Luxemburg-Casco’s football coach was to build better team speed.
The Spartans’ success this season will be heavily dependent on the product of that emphasis.
“I don’t think you’re ever where you want to be,” said Maney, who is entering his fifth year at L-C. “You’re always striving to be better.
“I do think the senior class brings a lot of skill, a lot of talent, a lot of speed and a lot of experience. We’re excited to see where that takes us. I’m a huge believer in that it’s not just what happens during the season. It’s the time and effort you put in out of season.”
The Spartans return 15 varsity letter winners from a squad that finished in a three-way tie for second place in the North Eastern Conference.
However, L-C’s hopes of making the playoffs for a sixth straight year and contending for a second NEC title in three years will come down to how quickly its inexperienced lines can get up to speed.
Photos courtesy of Ron LeCloux/Perfect Image Photography
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“Experience in a varsity game is majorly lacking in both fronts,” Maney said. “That experience is just something you can’t get to kids. We’re going to be young. We’re going to be youthful, but we have to try to use our outside experience on the inside to try to set up our offensive line and give them confidence early.”
Seniors Nathan Coisman and Ian Doell each are returning all-conference players that will be going into their third seasons on the varsity.
Coisman earned first team all-NEC accolades on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder made 80 tackles, including 10 for losses, as a linebacker, while adding 13 touchdowns on offense as a tight end/fullback.
Doell received first team all-NEC honors as a defensive back and named second team as a receiver after making 44 receptions for 715 yards and seven touchdowns.
Doell, along with seniors Anthony Otradovec and Lance Tebon, give Garrit Aissen plenty of experienced receivers to look to.
The 6-foot-1 senior quarterback completed 104 of 195 passes for 1,642 yards and 16 touchdowns with eight interceptions in receiving honorable mention all-NEC.
“Garrit is the most fluid quarterback we’ve had in a lot of years,” Maney said. “He’s a special kid. Not only for what he brings on the field, but off the field his leadership and character are super strong. He’s one of our staples to making sure our offense is clicking.”
The Spartans have to replace the production of speedster Austin Tlachac (920 yards of offense and six touchdowns), but return senior Dakota Robinson at running back. Robinson rushed for 528 yards and two touchdowns last year.
L-C’s linebacking corps is a strength of the team. Seniors Colton Worachek and Noah Lindsley join Coisman as three-year varsity players.
Meanwhile, senior Nate Ronsman and junior Matt Cravillion have experience in the secondary to pair with Doell. Senior Wyatt Kruse is the most experienced lineman up front.
After not winning a playoff game for the first time during Maney’s tenure, the Spartans will be aiming to enjoy a longer stay in the WIAA Division 3 playoffs this year.
The gauntlet of strong teams in the NEC should prepare them well for that.
“We’re thinking it’s going to be a grind again this year,” Maney said. “We’re preparing for an all-out battle, so we’ll see where it goes.”
The LC Spartans traveled on Friday to Kaukauna High School for a 4 Team scrimmage. The Spartans faired quite well in…
Posted by Perfect Image Photography by Ron on Friday, August 10, 2018
Luxemburg-Casco at a glance
Coach: Dillon Maney, 5th season, 33-12
Last year: 6-4
All-conference players to replace:
Gabe Frontuto, OL, 1st team
Austin Tlachac, RB, 2nd team
Mason Ravet, OL/DL, 2nd team/HM
Dawson Gmeinder, DL, 2nd team
Austin LeRoy, DE, 2nd team
All conference players returning:
Nathan Coisman, TE/LB, 1st team
Ian Doell, DB/WR, 1st team/2nd team
Garrit Aissen, QB, HM
Colton Worachek, DB, HM
2018 Schedule
Aug. 17 at Denmark
Aug. 24 Fox Valley Lutheran
Aug. 31 at Little Chute
Sept. 7 West De Pere (NC)
Sept. 14 at Marinette
Sept. 21 Freedom
Sept. 28 at Clintonville
Oct. 5 Wrightstown
Oct. 12 Oconto Falls
Alums playing college football:
Ty Dorner, UW- Oshkosh
Carson Falk, St. Norbert College
Spencer Kanz, Western Michigan