At the home football opener against St. Charles Aug. 31, the line to get tickets ran all the way back to the high school doors. Fans from both schools waited up to 10 minutes just to get into the game.
Sophomore Lily Watson said she is noticing more student support this year.
“I was impressed with the number of students that showed up,” Watson said.
Junior Tyler Kennedy is at all home games cheering on the Lions.
“Everyone in the student section is really energetic and crazy,” Kennedy said. “It makes the games a lot of fun.”
The buzz surrounding this year’s squad was “incredible,” first year coach John Smith said, even after losing the season opener to Canal Winchester, 14-9. Regardless, many people are already talking about the Lions’ post-season possibilities.
“We needed to beat Hartley or we weren’t making the playoffs,” said junior Jonathon Thomas, who plays wide receiver and defensive back for the team.
Smith calls those spots the strength of this year’s team.
“We have incredible depth at the skill positions,” Smith said.
Smith has made some changes to the offense in an attempt to unleash the Lions’ playmakers. Smith said that the coaching squad has implemented a number of new formations, including four and five receiver sets.
The receivers, led by senior John Haenszel and juniors Alan Hess and Jonathon Thomas, have given the offense a passing touchdown in each game this season.
Junior quarterback Seth White has had a hand in four of the Lions’ seven touchdowns this year. He has not only thrown three touchdown passes, but White also poses a dual threat for opponents’ defenses by attacking with his legs.
Against St. Charles, White had a 48-yard touchdown run, putting the Lions up 14-0 in a game they would eventually lose.
White also acts as the punter and place kicker. All together, White is responsible for 38 of the team’s 56 total points this season.
Senior tailback Joe Luchsinger suffered a separated shoulder early in the game against St. Charles, putting the brunt of the load on sophomore running back Michael Edwards.
Edwards shares carries with senior Brian Farlough and junior Julian Coleman, who had two touchdowns in the victory over Hartley Sept. 7.
“We expect big things,” Thomas said. “So far, we just haven’t been able to finish.”
White thought the team was not mentally prepared to play the first two weeks of the season.
“We didn’t practice very well,” White said. “We thought we could just show up and win.”
White said that although the team has many areas that need improvement, he puts a great deal of the blame on his own shoulders.
“Although I am not a senior, I have lettered on the varsity level for two years,” White said. “I, along with others, have a lot of experience and need to take more of a leadership role.”
League play started Sept. 14 when the Lions hosted Licking Valley, last year’s MSL champions. White said league games were easier to get pumped for.
“Everyone is aiming for a league title,” White said. “I guess I like that part.”
Licking Valley defeated Bexley 31-0 and was handed their third loss of the season.
Aside from two touchdowns by Alan Hess that were ruled out of bounds, the Lions had very few scoring opportunities all night.
Although the team has begun the season with a losing record, Smith said that the Bexley community had surpassed his expectations of support and team spirit and hopes it can continue throughout the year.
Published September 2007. Published 2025.