LAWRENCEBURG TIGERS

Head Coach: Ryan Knigga (120-40 in 14th season)
2023: 8-3 (lost in sectional semifinals)
Graduated 13 seniors: Logan Ahaus, Xavier Eads, Teagan Bennett, Liam Mitchell, Brayden Combs, Hayden Saylor, Zavyn Slayback, Jake Gourley, Ethan Eberhart, Joey Cavanaugh, Mclean Manford, Drake Rorabacher, Garrett Hambrick

The Tigers hope to get back to winning championships in 2024 after an 8-3 campaign a season ago. Lawrenceburg had won four consecutive sectional titles before bowing out of the state tournament in the sectional semifinals last season (20-14 L at Batesville). Since Ryan Knigga became head coach in 2011, the Tigers have gone 120-40, winning seven sectional championships, two regional titles, and two semi-state championships. Over the last 10 season, Lawrenceburg has the 13th best win percentage in the state (.770).

This season, Lawrenceburg will have new faces at key positions such as quarterback, running back, and the offensive and defensive line.

OFFENSE: Sophomore Crue Gilmour has won the starting quarterback job as he is listed as QB1 on Lawrenceburg's two-deep roster ahead of Friday's matchup with East Central. Gilmour was spectacular as a corner back during his freshman season. Head coach Ryan Knigga calls Gilmour "dynamic." Gilmour beat out James Baker for the job

The Tigers will have new names carrying the ball out of the backfield following the graduation of 1,000-yard back Teagan Bennett. Senior D'Kari Mucker, junior Isaiah Williams, and senior Landon Cornett could form a running back by committee approach in 2024.Mucker and Cornett combined for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries last season. Freshman Gabe Trimble could see carries as the season progresses.

The Tigers do return one of the top receivers in the area in Keaton McGrath. As a junior, McGrath hauled in 43 passes for 641 yards and six touchdowns.

On the offensive line, the Tigers return three starters in Logan Fehr, Noah Redar and Brice Hedrick. Keagan Sturgill and Ben Pierce will start at guard and center, respectively.

DEFENSE: Senior linebacker Noah Knigga headlines a Lawrenceburg defense that returns six starters. Knigga, a 3-star commit to Eastern Michigan, was a Junior All-State selection in 2023 despite playing in only six games. He enters 2024 as an Indiana Football Digest Prime 25 and Indiana Preps Preseason Top 22 All-State selection.

He will move from outside linebacker to middle linebacker this season in Lawrenceburg's 3-5-3 look. Junior Kinser Pope is back after totaling 69 tackles as a sophomore. Vander Labazzo, one of the team leaders in sacks a year ago, also returns at linebacker. Cole Holder and Qain Foster fill in at the other two starting spots.

Up front, senior Noah Redar is the starting defensive tackle. He recorded a team-high five sacks last season. Connor Lange and Keagan Sturgill are the starting defensive ends.

In the secondary, the Tigers will rely on veteran senior cornerback Landon Cornett. Isaiah Williams will play opposite of Cornett, with James Baker expected to see time at corner. Jacob Becker is slated to start at free safety, although returning starter Emrick Engel expects to factor in the secondary upon return from injury.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Not many teams around the state boast the kicking talent that the Tigers have. Senior Ryan Hinthorne is back after a solid junior season. His long field goal make of 2023 was 46-yards. Hinthorne tells Eagle Country 99.3 is his comfortable from 55 yards with the wind at his back. He also averaged 38.5 yards per kickoff last season.

COACHES COMMENTS WITH RYAN KNIGGA:

On new quarterback Crue Gilmour:

"I think we have a pretty dynamic player."

On replacing Teagan Bennett at running back:

We are going to feed the guy the ball that's giving us the best chance to win. I like where we are at with our running back group. I think we have three to four guys that can go back there and help us."

On the defense:

We are fortunate that we have a lot of guys coming back that have played a lot of football. Not just a lot of guys, but they are smart, and they understand what is going on. You just can't replace experience at this level. We fly around. Our d-line has gotten better each week. Our linebackers fly around, their smart, they get downhill, they can cover and run. And on the back end, we have some really skilled guys holding the fort down. i think we are going to be hard to score against."

On Ryan Hinthorne:

We are going to put a lot of trust in him this year. There have been a lot of years in the past where it hasn't even been a thought process to run our kicker out there. I think he is a valuable weapon for us this year, and we have to put points on the board because I think our defense is going to be really good. So, we can't miss opportunities. I'd love to tell you he's going to be perfect this year, but I know he's going to make a lot more than he misses. Confident kid, confident kicker."

On season goals:

"We tell the kids, you are remembered by championships. We look to try and do that again this year, get back on track. It's going to be a tough sectional. We are just going to work hard every day. I think if we work hard every day, we'll be able to accomplish the things we want. We want to bring a sectional back to Lawrenceburg."

On changes at The Pit:

"This summer we got all new LED lighting at our sports facilities with a light show at The Pit. That will bring a cool environment tied in with some music. We also have a new scoreboard with a 12x24 LED videoboard on top of that with the capabilities to do some cool stuff."