STONEBORO, Pa. (WKBN) – A year ago, Lakeview finished with a winning record for the first time in seven years (2015: 6-5).
This summer, the Sailors return sixteen starters (7 on offense; 9 on defense) as they’re after more success in 2023.
Coach Bill Hickman enters his sixth year as the leader of the Lakeview program. His coaching staff deserves lots of credit for the way his players are prepared to enter this upcoming season.
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“One thing we’ve managed to do under offensive coordinator Blake Reddick is become proficient in multiple sets,” states Hickman. “You could see us come out in the spread one game and then a pro set the next. He’s been able to simplify our play calling so that the kids can easily [transition] from one set to another. Defensively, coach Doug Cole has been a little more consistent with a four- or five-man fronts, but our coaches as a whole did a much better job last year at making adjustments on the fly.”
Graduating key contributors is nothing new for Hickman. “Our kids have learned to play with the ‘next man up’ mentality. We lost three seniors that have started for us the last two years. Sean Cole was our Swiss army knife, he never really got to play the positions he was best suited for because he was needed elsewhere. A kid who’d do everything that was asked of him is hard to replace.”
The Sailors also lost Hunter Yeager and Brendan Malone along the line as well as Cam Pence at quarterback to graduation.
Hickman notes, “Our expectation going into the season is to get better individually and as a team. This coaching staff and these kids have been working hard to change the culture here at Lakeview, and this year we’re hoping to see the fruits of that labor. This senior class has won at the pee wee level, the midget level, in junior high and now we get to see what their commitment and dedication brings for their senior year.”
The offense will have Mitchell Tingley (1201 rushing yards; 119 tackles) back in the mix this year. As coach Hickman puts it – “Mitchell had the potential to be all-region in all three phases of the game.”
Tingley, the team’s featured running back, will be joined in the backfield by fullback Aiden Osborne.
Last year’s week one starting signal caller Leyton Zacherl is back. “[Leyton’s] experience points to him as the potential front runner to be under center,” said Hickman. “But we have an open tryout policy and there are some kids ready to step up and push for that opportunity. These summer workouts and 7-on-7s will prove instrumental for deciding our week 1 starter.”
Senior wideout Danick Hinkson (167 receiving yards; 399 rushing yards, 7 TDs) is welcomed back after leading the team in receiving yards per catch (20.9) a year ago.
Offensive line coach Mike Grimm returns four starters (Kyle DeVinney, Garrett Mentch, William Guy, Garet Guthrie) along the front five, “Like I always say,” Hickman adds. “the offensive line is like the keys to our Mercedes; we don’t go anywhere without them. The strides they’ve taken last year were astonishing. We’re excited to see that they will accomplish [this year].”
With nine starters back on defense, including their middle linebacker Tingley (4 INTs). Gavin Krupa (65 tackles) and Luke Klonowski (4 QB Sacks, 12 TFL) will join Mitchell at the linebacker position.
Keep an eye on Preston McCloskey and Brady Nagel to have the potential to receive a large number of minutes in the middle of the defense.
Up front, the Sailors will have DeVinney inside with Osborne (54 tackles, 14.5 TFL) – who’s making the move from linebacker – and Guthrie (3.5 QB Sacks) as the ends on defense.
Hickman points to, “Our defensive line, as a whole, will be able to stay fresh this year with our depth.”
In the secondary, three returning starters are back in the fold with Zacherl (36 tackles) and Blake Skiles at corner and Hinkson at his safety position.
“The development of our young guys will ensure that this culture we’re building back up at Lakeview will continue for years to come,” says Hickman.
Lakeview opens the new season by hosting Seneca on Friday, August 25.
Lakeview Sailors
Fast Facts
Head Coach: Bill Hickman, 6th season (15-33)
2022 Record: 6-5 (5-2), T-2nd place in Region 1
Last 5 Years: 15-33 (31.3%)
Home Field: Lakeview Stadium
League: District 10, Region 1
Base Offense: Multiple
Base Defense: Multiple
Returning Starters
Offense: 7
Defense: 9
2022 Team Stats
Scoring Offense: 27.1
Scoring Defense: 21.5
Total Offense: 298.1
Rushing Offense: 233.5
Passing Offense: 64.6
2022 Individual Leaders
Passing: Cam Pence – 639 yards, 43.9% (36-82), 5 TDs
Rushing: Mitchell Tingley – 1201 yards, 6.8 avg, 8 TDs
Receiving: Danick Hinkson – 167 yards, 20.9 avg, TD
Tackles: Mitchell Tingley – 119
QB Sacks: Aiden Osborne – 4 1/2
Interceptions: Evan Sanford & Mitchell Tingley – 4
2022 Results
Maplewood 33 Sailors 24*
Sailors 35 Franklin 8
Reynolds 42 Sailors 14
Mercer 15 Sailors 13
Sailors 41 Cambridge Springs 14
Sailors 35 Cochranton 14
Eisenhower 35 Sailors 13
Sailors 24 Maplewood 7
Sailors 51 Kennedy Catholic 14
Sailors 35 Saegertown 15
Seneca 40 Sailors 13
*-playoff
2022 District 10, Region 1 Standings
Reynolds – 7-0 (11-2)
Cambridge Springs – 5-2 (8-4)
Lakeview – 5-2 (6-5)
Mercer – 5-2 (6-5)
Maplewood – 3-4 (5-7)
Kennedy Catholic – 2-5 (2-7)
Cochranton – 1-6 (1-7)
Saegertown – 0-7 (2-8)
2023 Schedule
Aug. 25 – Seneca
Sept. 1 – at Saegertown
Sept. 9 – at Kennedy Catholic
Sept. 15 – Maplewood
Sept. 22 – at Eisenhower
Sept. 28 – Cochranton
Oct. 6 – at Cambridge Springs
Oct. 13 – Mercer
Oct. 20 – Reynolds
Oct. 27 – at Franklin
