Coach: Brian Schlinker, 6th season at Lavaca (2nd as head coach)
2015 Record: 4-6
Returning Offensive Starters: 4
Returning Defensive Starters: 5
Offense: Pistol Option
Defense: 4-3
Key Players: JR Garrett Eck QB, SR Janson Graves WR/CB
LAVACA (KFSM)--2015 was a tale of two seasons for the Golden Arrows. Lavaca won four of its first five games before losing its last five. A 4-6 record was the school's worst mark since 2012. But this fall, Lavaca drops down from Class 3A to 2A.
Second year head coach Brian Schlinker said, "We are going to be going against teams more our size, as far as numbers and just the size of the school in general. But there's some really good competition in this 2A group." Senior Janson Graves echoed those sentiments. "I feel like the move down to 2A presents an opportunity for us to set some goals around here," he explained.
Graves is one of the returning leaders at both wide receiver and cornerback, and got high praise from Schlinker. "Guys like Janson and Ashton [Chronister] have been great leaders for us. We don't have a bunch of loud kids in that senior group, we have kids that lead by example." Lavaca has either eight or nine starters back from 2015, depending on how camp plays out.
The big hole to fill is at quarterback, where last year's the graduated Landon Graves accounted for 17 touchdowns. Junior Garrett Eck is slated to be under center this fall. "Garrett really pushed Landon last fall, and has done a great job so far over the summer. He's a great athlete, both a basketball player and football player. He's been a great leader for us," Schlinker noted.
Both Graves and Chronister pointed out one target game on the schedule. "Danville. They're a great football team, but we feel like we can go out and compete with them this year."
Lavaca plays Danville in week two. The Golden Arrows open the season on September 2nd with a 7pm home tilt against Gentry.
