Sports
Zumwalt East Lions Seek Success Despite Loss of Seniors
The Fort Zumwalt East Lions will try to replace 18 departed seniors from 9-1 2010 team.
The Lions football team turned in a successful season last year and head coach Scott Eacret is expecting more of the same this year.
“We’ve lost quite a few seniors but we still expect to do what we did last year,” Eacret said.
The Lions graduated 18 seniors off of a team that went 9-1 in the 2010 campaign. Eacret has been coaching the Fort Zumwalt East football team since the program started four years ago. The Lions have compiled an 18-13 record in the last four seasons.
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Eacret said early practices have been successful.
“They can’t wait until week one,” he said.
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Fort Zumwalt East will open up at home against Washington on at 7 p.m. on Aug. 26. Brandon Barrett will lead the Lions’ offense at quarterback. Barrett was East’s backup quarterback last year.
“He’s good on the run and has a good understanding of the offense,” Eacret said. “All he lacks is game experience.”
Running back Christian Brooks suffered an injury in a football camp during the summer and is trying to nurse his way back to health before week one, Eacret said. Injuries have been an issue before the start of the season, as right tackle Christian Brewer suffered a concussion last week and center Caleb Kathoba suffered a mild concussion this week.
Eacret said the Lions have depth in the wide receiver position, as two upperclassmen return: senior Mike Mahoney and junior Nathan Burnett. Sophomore Dandre Campbell will also play wide receiver. Senior Tim Smith will return at tight end and all-conference selection Nick Wisenborn, an offensive lineman, also returns.
Most of the Lions’ offensive line will play defensive line. Newcomer senior Zack Snider will also play on the offensive line. Snider was a soccer player before coming out for football this fall.
“He looks good,” Eacret said. “He’s 6-foot-tall and weighs 300-pounds. Zack is a very physical player who can clog up the middle.”
Senior Nathan Burnett is the only returning linebacker with a significant amount of experience. Senior Tyler Izeman, junior J.T. Lindsey, and senior Andrew Hopkins will also play linebacker.
Eacret said the Gateway Athletic Conference North will be competitive this year.
“It’s a well balanced league,” he said. “And there’s a lot of teams that have been improvement.”