Indian Lake plans to lean on offensive, defensive lines

LEWISTOWN - The 2007 season was a rollercoaster ride for Indian Lake.

The Lakers began the season with a brutal nonleague schedule and went 2-3. Once they entered league play, however, that tough slate paid off in a 4-1 Central Buckeye Conference record, giving them a tie for first place.

Then, Indian Lake fell just .0125 computer points short of a playoff berth.

"Basically, we needed one team we had beaten to win one more game," 12th year coach David Coburn said.

To have another shot at the postseason, Indian Lake must deal with the same early season gauntlet. But this year the team will have to do it with a young, inexperienced group of players.

The Lakers must replace virtually the entire defensive backfield and the skill position players on offense.

Where they do have veteran players is on the line, which Coburn sees as a building block.

The heart of that line is seniors Justin Rogers (RG, 6-0, 195), Casey Taylor (LT, 5-11, 215), D.J. Postle (C, 5-9, 200) and Stephen Pusey (RT, 6-4, 255).

Coburn said Indian Lake's offense will focus on having a strong running attack, led by senior tailback Kyle Hefner (6-1, 190).

"He's been waiting in the wings," Coburn said. "He started defense last year, but he'll get his shot to run the ball and he's looked fairly decent early in the season. It's the first time we'll have a bigger tailback back there."

Senior Kaleab Draper (6-0, 150) and sophomore Travis Ratliff (5-10, 175) are currently battling for the quarterback spot, while senior Stacy Jones (6-0, 160), a first-year player, provides explosive speed.

On defense, four key players return to the mix: Junior linebacker Arron Witt (5-9, 170); Hefner at outside linebacker; junior Kevin Christman (5-11, 170) at strong safety and senior Joey Boehler (6-0, 190) at tackle.

Overall, Indian Lake's young team faces another brutal schedule right out of the gate with Spencerville, Jonathan Alder, Lehman Catholic, Tippecanoe and Bellefontaine on the nonleague schedule before the CBC begins.

"It's one of those things, we have to get better each and every game," Coburn said. "We're going to have to play mistake-free football offensively, defensively and get to the fourth quarter with a chance to win.

"If we can get through the first five games healthy, we can contend for the league again."

PLAYER TO WATCH

Kyle Hefner

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound tailback will provide the Lakers with size and speed in the backfield.

INDIAN LAKE

Coach: David Coburn

Years, record at school: 12th year, 56-54

2007 record: 6-4 overall, 4-1 in Central Buckeye Conference-Madriver Division

Returning letterwinners: 8

Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defense

Promising newcomers: Travis Ratliff, Stacy Jones, Andy Diener

Outlook: The Lakers will lean heavily on their experienced line on both sides of the ball because the team is very inexperienced at the skill positions on offense and in the defensive backfield. Indian Lake also battles a vicious schedule to start the season.

Aug. 22 at Spencerville

Aug. 29 at Jonathan Alder

Sept. 5 SIDNEY LEHMAN CATHOLIC

Sept. 12 at Tippecanoe

Sept. 19 BELLEFONTAINE

Sept. 26 GREENON

Oct. 3 at Urbana

Oct. 10 ST. PARIS GRAHAM

Oct. 16 BENJAMIN LOCAL

Oct. 24 at Northwestern