Coach: Eric Henry
7-4
OFFENSE
While many schools might use the term rebuilding, for veteran Keota Lions coach Eric Henry it’s more like reloading and, like last year, that’s where the Lions find themselves as they go into the 2025 season.
“We lost some seniors that carried a lot of the load in the past, so we’ll be looking for guys to step up to the challenge and we have more questions than answers starting this season,” said the 21-year veteran coach. Only three starters return for the Lions this year to operate the I-formation, but there will be a lot of senior leadership led by Jesse Cox (5-10, 155, Sr.) who will move from wide receiver to quarterback this year. Traiten Bryant (5-9, 140, Sr.) will be the tailback and Remington Tomlin (6-0, 150, Sr.) will take over at tight end. In the line seniors Diesel Logan (6-0, 160) at center and Joe McMann (6-3, 230) at guard will get their chance to shine for the Lions. Henry will ask a lot from two-way starter Kayven Peek (6-0, 225, Jr.) who is a VYPE TOP 100 nominee and will move from lineman to fullback. “He was the third leading tackler for us last year and if he’s not making the plays, he is opening holes on the offensive side,” said Henry.
DEFENSE
The same faces that power the offense will make up the defense as is usually the case at smaller schools. “We’ll run a 3-3 defense and load the box, try to fly to the ball and gang tackle and hopefully cause a few turnovers,” said Henry. McMann and Peek, who had 64 tackles last year, will make up the front line with Cox at linebacker and Tomlin and Bryant in the secondary. While there will be a lot of retooling to do at the skill spots for Keota, don’t bet against Eric Henry and the Lions making the Clas B playoffs again where they have been every year for the last decade except the Covid year of 2020.
SCHEDULE
8-28 – at Gans
9-5 – OPEN
9-12 – vs. Wesleyan Christian
9-19 – vs. Webbers Falls
9-26 – at Strother
10-3 – vs. Weleetka
10-10 – vs. Canadian
10-16 – at Quinton
10-24 – vs. Caddo
10-31 – vs. Dewar
11-7 – at Savanna
