After a nearly exclusive senior starting lineup on the 2014 varsity football team, Head Coach Kurt Weinberg, in his seventh season of coaching at LT, turned to younger students to fill in spaces left vacant after graduation.

“The experience level this season is very different,” Weinberg said. “With only three returning starters, all on the offensive line, a lot has changed. But I like it. They’re all athletic, tough, and excited.”

One of the constants on the team, captain Chase Nacker ’16 has made his leadership presence known, both on and off the field. He has made his the transition to a younger team easier, Weinberg said.

“We have been rebuilding our team on both sides of the ball,” Nacker said.

Ben Bryant ’18 is one of the most crucial and surprising additions to the lineup, starting at quarterback as a sophomore. However, the new players are not the only thing that has changed on this team. Coach Jon Beujter took up a new role on the team this season.

“With Coach Beujter as the new offensive coordinator and Coach Bergman as the defensive coordinator, we’re getting a lot done as a team,” Nacker said. “They have both been doing really well.”

As the 24-0 win on Aug. 28 against Warren proved, the new team, albeit young, works well together under pressure. The young quarterback is a prime example of this.

“Ben really stepped it up against Warren, and doesn’t play like a sophomore. His confidence level is very high and he plays like he’s a veteran,” Nacker said.

Starting on the freshman A team last year, Bryant had high hopes but was still grateful for the opportunity. He went into this season with an “I’ve got nothing to lose” attitude, and reaped the rewards early on.

“We plan on working extremely hard for the next game. And the next. Every game is a must win,” Bryant said. “Our coaches will do a good job preparing us week after week, just as they did for Warren.”

The team focuses on one game at a time, but is already anticipating a big Homecoming standoff against Glenbard West on Sept. 26. The festivities of the weekend are typically extensive and exciting, culminating with the intense game and the dance the next day. This year, the team plans on nothing different.

“The way we prepare never changes,” Weinberg said. “We’re going to be thorough and extensive, focusing on one minute at a time until the whistle blows. Glenbard West is one of the best around, and they dominate our conference. We’ve got to find a way to knock ‘em off.”

The task seems daunting, but the team appears indomitable.

“They’re always a great team,” Nacker said. “Which means we’re going to need to be ready to come out and play ball on Sept. 26.”