2024 Team Preview: Lackawanna Trail Lions (2)

Written by: David Mika on Monday, August 12th, 2024. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Steve Jervis

Assistant Coaches:
Jim Becchetti
Jeff Stage
Matt Landsiedel
Chad Gibbs
Vince Kalinoski
Steve Jervis, Sr.
Caleb Darling
Dan Brown
Jordan Edwards
Colin Mulhern

Team Name: Lackawanna Trail Lions

District: 2

Class: 1A

League: Lackawanna Football Conference, Division 3

2023 Record: 13-1

8/25 @ Mid Valley (2A) 7:00 pm W 35-13
9/01 Lake-Lehman (3A) 7:00 pm W 48-7
9/08 @ Greater Nanticoke (4A) 7:00 pm W 40-13
9/15 Honesdale (4A) 7:00 pm W 39-13
9/22 @ Dunmore (2A) 7:00 pm W 46-21
9/29 Old Forge* (1A) 7:00 pm W 41-7
10/06 @ Riverside (2)* (2A) 7:00 pm W 28-21
10/13 @ Carbondale Area* (3A) 3:15 pm W 41-14
10/20 Holy Cross* (2A) 7:00 pm W 66-0
10/27 Susquehanna Community* (2A) 7:00 pm W 46-0
11/03 Old Forge (1A) 7:00 pm W 40-0
11/10 @ Morrisville (1A) 7:00 pm W 47-6
11/17 @ Minersville Area (1A) 7:00 pm W 40-0
11/24 Steelton-Highspire (1A) 7:00 pm L 25-43

Key Starters Lost:
Lukas Gumble RB/OLB
Hunter Patterson FB/ILB
Stephen Jervis QB
Kolbee Soltis ILB
Alex Castellano OL/DL
Gary Shaw C/DL
Cole Rosengrant CB

Offensive Starters Returning:
Sr. WR Max Kimmel 6’3 185
Sr. RB Demitrius Douglas 5’10 185
Sr. OL Brian Gow 5’11 270
Jr. OL Lucas Evans 6’3 265
Jr. OL Colin Owens 6’1 230
Jr. TE Blake Stage 6’3 225

Defensive Starters Returning:
Sr. DB Max Kimmel 6’3 185
Sr. OLB Demitrius Douglas 5’10 185
Sr. DL Brian Gow 5’11 270
Jr. DB Isaac Ryon 5’10 180
Jr. DL Lucas Evans 6’3 265
Jr. DE Blake Stage 6’3 225

Special Team Starters Returning:
Sr. P Max Kimmel 6’3 185
Jr. K Isaac Ryon 5’10 180
Jr. K Holden Edwards 5’9 175
Sr. KR Demitrius Douglas 5’10 185
Jr. PR Sean Dwyer 5’8 150

Key Newcomers:
Fr. QB Lucas Filipek 6’4 175
Sr. WR/DB Brandon Kalinoski 5’10 165

2024 Returning Player Stats:
Sr. RB Demitrius Douglas 808 YDS Rushing and 12 TDs
Sr. WR Max Kimmel 13 REC 405 YDS 8 TDS

2024 Offensive Outlook: We return size and experience on the offensive line and speed and athleticism in the skill positions. Junior Tyler Jervis will take over the reigns from his older brother Stephen who graduated at QB. Junior Isaac Ryon will have big shoes to fill as he takes over for leading rusher Lukas Gumble as will senior Logan Edwards as he takes over for Hunter Patterson at fullback.

2024 Defensive Outlook: Our strength will be on the defensive line as we return a great deal of experience up front. We also return players with big game experience in the secondary including All-State selection Max Kimmel who had 6 interceptions a year ago. We need to replace 3 of our 4 linebackers as we graduated our top three leading tacklers in Hunter Patterson, Kolbee Soltis and Lukas Gumble.

2024 Special Teams Outlook: We return both our kickers and our punter as well as our leading kick returner and punt returner so our special teams have the potential to be one of our team strengths.

2024 Lackawanna Trail Lions
Interview with Head Football Coach Steve Jervis @Trail_Football #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica pic.twitter.com/Xs6K0PHOb6

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) July 30, 2024