Offensive football has been the way of the Dragon in recent memory, with Lake Orion squads routinely putting up 30, 40, or sometimes even 50 points, in a given night.
Coach Chris Bell expects his offense to be solid this year, but for once, his ‘O? might be getting overshadowed by an even more powerful ‘D.?
‘I expect us to be very good defensively,? Bell said, noting that eight starters return on that side of the ball.
Up front, the Dragons are led by defensive lineman Josh Allison, who committed to Minnesota over the summer.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Allison came within one sack of a state record last season, recording 25 sacks and 93 tackles.
He is joined by returning starter and senior Andrew Pugh on the line, meaning opponents will have to choose carefully which player they want to double team, and when.
The three linebackers also return, led by a pair of All-League players in Chase Goff and Shaun Vernon (considered in most player rankings as one of the top 100 players in the state).
That linebacker duo was lauded by Bell, and should wreak havoc up and down the field.
Three seniors, and multiple sport athletes, return in the secondary, as Joe Barnes (who doubles as the team’s punter) is joined by Nick Dunstan and Jake Gaudard.
When the Dragons have the ball, Bell said the keyword is balance.
Junior quarterback Chris Lum got some playing time last year, and will pilot the offense solo this time around.
There should be plenty of talent for the 6-foor-3 Lum to spread the ball to, as senior running back Arron Allen comes back after averaging eight yards a carry last season.
Leading receiver David Wurst and tight end Mike Tuzik (both standing over six feet) are also back as seniors.
Bell said he was also impressed by the preseason senior split-end Cole Moore was putting together. Moore’s 6-foor-5 frame will give Lum a solid target over the middle, and in the back of the end zone.
On the offensive line, a pair of seniors lead the way for a unit that will have three new starters. Bell said getting everyone experience working with one another was a preseason goal for them.
‘I think we’re getting better every day,? the coach added. ‘We’re not where we need to be yet, but we’re getting better.?
The top of the Dragons? schedule is similar to what they saw last year, including a rematch of the season opening contest with Troy this Friday night.
Last year, LO put a 35-6 whooping on the Colts at a neutral site (Eastern Michigan University’s Rynearson Stadium).
Bell expects this time around to be much more challenging, given that Troy will host the 6:55 p.m. kickoff, and got a good look at the LO offensive schemes last year.
‘We still have some wrinkles they haven’t seen,? the coach promised. ‘But it’s always a hard, physical game with Troy.?
The Dragons will open at home against Rochester next Thursday night, before hosting another league power in Rochester Adams on Sept. 8.
Homecoming falls on Oct. 6, in what could be a game with huge league implications against Farmington Hills Harrison, and the Dragons travel to Clarkston to close out the season on Oct. 20.
‘As good as our league is, all we care about is game one at Troy,? Bell said.
‘If we do what we’re capable of doing fundamentally, then we can play with anybody.?
That mentality helped propel the Dragons to a Division I regional final appearance last season, and LO hopes to improve on that success this time around.
‘The keys to our season are to develop depth and stay healthy,? Bell said.