The Lyon County Lyons will build around a six-member senior class as they look for improved play in 2020.
The Lyons went just 2-16-3 last season, but return several key players from a year ago as they hope to make a run at a winning season and a district championship this year.
Up front, senior Todd Huddleston and sophomore Timothy Stewart figure to be the biggest threats for the Lyons.
Huddleston led the squad with eight goals a year ago while Stewart had two goals and four assists.
However, Lyon knows it has to generate more offense this season after scoring just 19 goals in 21 games in 2019.
Head coach Michael Daily, who begins his second season at the Lyon helm, is still considering several options offensively.
Huddleston could see time up front or at midfield, depending on what works best for the Lyons.
Junior Connor Stovall will help to anchor the midfield.
“Our middle was the weak point last year,” said Daily. “Last year, a lot of the goals we gave up were right down the middle, and we can’t let that happen this year.”
Defensively, seniors Sam Klueppel and Lucas Mayberry will lead the way in front of goalkeeper Cole Schroeder, who is also a senior.
Schroeder was tested often last season, but averaged over 25 saves a contest.
The Lyons surrendered a total of 114 goals in 2019, so improved play on the defensive end is a must for Lyon to reach its goals in 2020.
Other seniors for Lyon this season are Salvador Coronado and Zach Reichert.
Lyon competes in a two-team 5th District with Trigg County. The Lyons fell to the Wildcats three times a year ago — including a 6-0 decision in the district championship game. However, Daily thinks the Lyons have closed the gap on the Wildcats this year.
“They lost a bunch, and we didn’t lose hardly anything, so hopefully we’re going to match up very well with them.
“We’ve been able to kinda work on what we want to do with them, and I hope that we can beat them. I think we can.”
The Lyons will open the 2020 campaign with a trip to Butler County on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Lyon has an important 2nd Region All A Classic date in the first week of the season, traveling to University Heights Academy on Friday, Sept. 11.
