Excitement is brewing as the Lennox High School football season is about to get underway. The team is set to kick-off the 2023 season this Friday, Aug. 25 with a home match-up against Chamberlain under the guidance of new head football coach, Shawn Flanagan. Flanagan takes over the reins from the Matt Luze, who led the Oriole program for over a decade.
Hailing from Oregon, Flanagan brings with him a wealth of football experience. A graduate of the University of Sioux Falls (USF) in 2009, Flanagan was no stranger to the gridiron, having played football during his college years. His career as a player spanned multiple institutions, including the University of Oregon, Eastern Oregon University, and eventually, USF. A former offensive lineman, Flanagan also spent some time at training camp with the New Orleans Saints. Flanagan’s last coaching job was at Salem where he where he spent four years as head coach of McCook Central Montrose honing his skills.
Flanagan, along with his wife and three kids, have settled into Lennox where he is excited to lead the Orioles on the field this season.
“To win every game, that’s our goal,” said Flanagan. “And to do our best and give our best effort to win every game.”
The previous season’s record and highlights are in the rearview mirror, and Flanagan has his team’s focus firmly on the future.
Assisting Flanagan this season will be Casey Vietor, Jona Leo, Neal Stratman, Blake Gesner, Matt Wolf, Pat Sees, Chris Kruse, Clint Johnson, Matt Hansen, Nathan DeWitt, Steve Hale and Justin Breske.
Flanagan’s approach to the upcoming season is characterized by high expectations and a relentless pursuit of victory.
While acknowledging the challenges ahead, Flanagan and his team are driven by a steadfast work ethic and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
Flanagan brings enthusiasm to the field this season and under his guidance the hope is the players will rise to the occasion, united by the shared goal of achieving success on the field.
Friday night’s game is set to kick-off at 7 p.m. in Lennox. On Sept. 1 the team travels to Vermillion for a 7 p.m. game and heads to Canton on Sept. 8 for another road game. On Sept. 15 Lennox hosts Custer in a 6 p.m. Homecoming match-up. On Sept. 22 the team will travel to Beresford before hosting Dakota Valley on Sept. 29. The team hosts Madison on Oct. 6 and West Central on Oct. 13 with a road game to Sioux Falls Christian on Oct. 19 wrapping up the regular season.
Team roster this season includes the following players along with their grade, positions, height, and weight:
Lucas Bontje, SR, WR/DB, 5’11”, 170
Carter Benning, SR, WR/LB, 6’1”, 175
Porter Ihnen, SR, WR/DB, 6’5”, 215
Boston Katzer, JR, QB/DB, 6’4”, 195
Ethan Larson, SR, DB/WR, 6’0”, 165
Chase Faulds, JR, WR/DB, 5’11”, 160
Layton Smith, JR, WR/DB, 6’4”, 195
Braeden Harmelink, JR, RB/DB, 5’9”, 145
Ashton Bach, SR, WR/DB, 5’8”, 155
Tate Gerdes, SO, DB/WR, 6’3”, 175
Oaklin Fergen, SO, WR/LB, 5’10”, 160
Triston Butler, SR, RB/LB, 5’9”, 180
Wyatt Bult, SO, WR/DB, 5’11”, 145
Jaxson Bittner, SO, RB/DB, 5’8”, 140
Coyer Fergen, SO, WR/DL, 5’10”, 160
Ramsey Williams, SO, DB/WR, 5’9”, 150
Corban Hanneman, JR, RB/LB, 5’10”, 165
Teegan Musser, SO, WR/DB, 6’4”, 165
Preston Otte, SO, WR/DB, 5’8”, 133
Cole Spieler, SO, WR/DB, 5’10”, 145
Drake Mikkelsen, FR, WR, 6’4”, 185
Chase Lundquist, FR, WR/CB, 5’10”, 145
Grant Larson, FR, 5’10”, 133
Brennen Juffer, FR, WR/DB, 6’4”, 155
Ethan Eitreim, FR, 5’9”, 140
Jayden Hopf, FR, 5’7”, 125
Nolyn Speilmann, FR, RB/LB
Shayden Olean, FR, 5’6”, 140
Jevyn Lefers, FR, LB/TE, 5’11”, 176
Talen Eich, SO, QB/DL, 6’0”, 200
Trey Gerdes, SR, TE/LB, 6’2”, 215
Maxwell Weeldreyer, SO, TE/LB, 6’0”, 175
George Scott, FR,5’7”, 145
Emory Lefers, JR, OL/DL, 6’1”, 215
Mason Reischl, SO, OL/DL, 5’10”, 200
Alec Gates, SO, OL/DL, 5’9”, 170
Jyler Antoine, SO, OL/DL, 5’8”, 200
Dominic DeBoer, SR, OL/LB, 5’11”, 195
Tomislav Cvitan, SR, OL/LB, 6’0”, 180
James Hermanson, FR, OL/DL, 5’10”, 200
Jacob Capon, SO, OL/DL, 5’10”, 185
Caleb Crager, JR, OL/DL, 5’9”, 185
Atticus Larson, JR, OL/LB, 5’10”, 180
Lyncoln Leo, SO, OL/DL, 6’1”, 260
David Bartscher, FR, , 5’10”, 218
Jacob Richert, SO, OL/DL, 5’11”, 230
Madix Havard, FR, OL/DL, 5’9”, 160
Benjamin Heibult, FR, OL/DL, 5’11”, 172
Gavin Horner, SO, OL/DL, 5’9”, 220
Clayton Barrett, JR, OL/DL, 6’1”, 280
Nathaniel Haar, JR, OL/DL, 6’0”, 225
Journey Noisy Hawk-Ellis, JR, OL/DL, 6’2”, 250
Samuel Bambas, FR, QB/LB, 5’7”, 183
Eli Highum, SO, TE/LB, 5’10”, 150
Gabe Veurink, SO, WR/DB, 5’5”, 120
Griffen Boomgarden, SO, WR/DB, 5’7”, 110
Nathan Arens, SO, WR/DB, 5’9”, 145
Cameron Smith, FR, , 5’9”, 132
Hayden Hostetler, SO, WR/DB, 6’0”, 140
Thomas Elledge, FR