As the Linganore football team stepped off the field for the final time last November after the 14-13 loss to Damascus in the 3A West region championship, they were left with a vacant feeling.
Like the sense that something was incomplete and there was unfinished business. What they experienced during that game could be one of the most gut-wrenching, emotional roller coaster rides an athlete or coach can possibly go through.
Quarterback Nathaniel Musselman was a mere inches away from engineering one of the most dramatic comebacks in Maryland high school football history after bringing his Lancers to within one point in a game that they found themselves down 14 points with under eight minutes to go.
But almost wasn’t enough. After pulling to within one point courtesy of an 18 yard touchdown keeper by Musselman, head coach Rick Conner bypassed the game-tying extra point attempt. Instead he put the Lancers’ season in Musselman hands on a quarterback sneak two-point conversion.
It had the vibe that nothing could go wrong as Linganore swallowed up all of Damascus’ momentum in the final eight minutes of the game – but seemingly wasn’t meant to be as Musselman lost his footing on the frozen turf – falling inches short of the pylon.
For nine months Conner, Musselman and the returning players on the Linganore football team woke up with a feeling of bitterness and dissatisfaction as the region championship loss still lingers in the back of their minds.
Now it’s 2015 and the Lancers have restocked on versatile weapons hoping it’s enough to prevail if put in a similar situation again.
Head coach Rick Conner, a 2014 Maryland High School football Hall of Fame inductee, is back for his 14th season at the helm and returns many skilled, experienced threats on both sides of the ball – quarterback Nathaniel Musselman, running back Dante Butler, wide receiver Jack Staub, lineman Tyler Fleagle and defensive backs Daniel Ross and Wade Stieren.
On the offensive line they return two starters – Fleagle and Justin Knotts – while picking up a transfer from Urbana, Michael McDonald.
Defensively the front seven may lack experience – only returning one starter, Fleagle, but they have filled voids with abundant depth within the organization.
This Linganore team appears to be equipped with enough talent to make another crusade at the state crown this season. Here is what you can expect from the Linganore Lancers in 2015:
Head Coach: Rick Conner, 14th season, 122-33 record
2014 record: 11-1 (Lost to Damascus in 3A West region championship)
2015 projected record: 14-0 (3A state champions)
Style of play: Run first offense / 3-4 defense
RESTOCKED OFFENSE LED BY MUSSELMAN, BUTLER TWO-HEADED MONSTER
QB, #7 Nathaniel Musselman (SR.)
This guy right here didn’t get enough credit for Linganore’s success last season.
He quarterbacked the Lancers to a 10-0 regular season record and number one state media poll ranking – all while he was not even a year into Conner’s system, since transferring into the school at the beginning of 2014.
In the 3A West region championship against Damascus, he strapped the Lancers on his back – coming inches short of overcoming a 14 point deficit with just under eight minutes to play on a failed two point conversion.
Musselman yielded only three turnovers and posted a 116.0 QBR all season long while racking up 24 all-purpose touchdowns. He is the leader of this Lancers team.
Right after the 14-13 loss to Damascus in the region championship, he didn’t beat around the bush or point fingers at any one of his teammates. Instead he put the loss on his shoulders.
Over the past nine months, Musselman has led the Linganore organization in off-season workouts, because he knows first hand what it’s like to come inches away from the next step towards a state championship.
Last season, he displayed an array of traits that include good touch on his passes, arm strength to make the majority of throws and pocket presence to know when to get the ball out of his hands or to simply tuck the pigskin and run with it.
Coming into this season, he’s gained 15 pounds of muscle and has improved on almost every aspect of his game.
Musselman can do it all and has vowed a state championship run this season. Look for him to be a general once again.
Projected stats: 2,100 passing yards, 21 passing touchdowns, 350 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns
RB, #23 Dante Butler (SR.)
One of three players left from the 2013 state championship runner-up team, Dante Butler has been a workhorse since he was brought up to varsity as a freshman from junior varsity in 2012.
Now, the longest tenured varsity Lancer is back for his last ride and is primed to add on an already prominent resume. Over the last two years at the varsity level, he’s compiled nearly 2,300 rushing yards and nearly 30 all-purpose touchdowns. He also has a state championship appearance – in 2013 against Franklin, but lost 21-7.
His teammates have claimed that they’ve never seen Butler more laser-focused than this past off-season. Like his quarterback, he’s tacked on 15 pounds of muscle and has a chiseled stature – standing at 6’0″ and 205 pounds.
Usually when one gains a substantial amount of weight like that, they give up a little bit of speed, but not Butler. At high school combines during his junior year he ran a 4.65 40 yard dash. This past summer he was timed at 4.43.
Also his younger brother who is also a running back, freshman Davon Butler, is rostered on the varsity unit for this year. With little brother by his side, older Butler’s drive and standards should be set at an all-time high.
When I watch his film from 7 on 7’s and scrimmages from this off-season, he’s a totally different runner than what I’ve seen from him in the past. Which is pretty scary if you ask me.
Butler specializes in being a downhill runner, but now he has added an extra razzle-dazzle in his step to now possess a rare power-speed combo.
Though this is a small sample size, in the scrimmage against Hammond he ran for 44 yards on his five carries – which isn’t bad, but he also had runs of 34 and 77 yards called back. Both were touchdowns. You add those two runs to his night, he would’ve racked up 155 yards on seven carries.
We’re not going to see 22.1 yards per carry out of Butler this year, because well, that’s almost impossible to do, but you get the picture. He’s already picked up offers from Albany, Morgan State and Towson and is in for his best year yet as he solidifies one of the best rushing attacks one will come across throughout the state of Maryland.
Projected stats: 1,800 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns
RB, #2 Davon Butler (FR.)
The Butler reign will live on for another four more years at Linganore as freshman Davon Butler will take up after his two older brothers that have come through the Lancer football organization.
His two elder brothers have left imprints in the organization and many claim that this Butler could be even better. As an eighth grader he rushing for 1,089 yards and 26 touchdowns in seven games.
He’s completely dominated at the youth level, but however will be making an extremely difficult transition from practically playing against little kids to now being face-to-face with almost full grown men.
When you watch Butler’s film, his running ability is unreal and to be only just a freshman is mind-boggling. Everything is there for him to be a top ball-carrier at the varsity level. He runs a 4.41 40 yard dash so the speed is imminent. Butler is also quite powerful for being a 5’9″ 175 pound freshman and absorbs contact exceptionally well.
But his best trait is his vision. He sees the field better than anyone I’ve seen for his age and is well-beyond his years.
The workload that he will get this year is relatively unknown, but his ceiling is sky high. Opposing defenses better be on their heals.
Projected stats: 900 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 400 receiving yards, 3 receiving touchdowns
WR, #5 Jack Staub (SR.)
In the Week 10 clash against rival Urbana, Staub, suffered a high ankle sprain that forced him to miss the rest of the season and was the team leader in receptions at the time.
His injury took it’s tole on the Lancer passing attack as they struggled to get anything going in the region championship against Damascus. But it’s a new year and Staub is fully rejuvenated.
For a wide receiver he’s big and physical – standing at 6’2″ and 205 pounds. He could be classified as a possession receiver due to his ability to catch passes in traffic.
His head coach claims that he’s the best athlete on this Linganore team as he is also a standout player on the varsity basketball team. Based off his basketball resume, he knows how to perform when the limelight is put on him – scoring 35 points in the region championship game last year and making a state tournament appearance on the hardwood.
Look for Staub to continue to shine when it matters most and be the top guy in the receiving corps once again in 2015.
Projected stats: 65 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards, 13 receiving touchdowns
RT, #71 Justin Knotts (SR.)
One of the two returning offensive linemen. Knotts will serve as a key piece upfront blocking and doing all he can to give his quarterback all the time he needs and the talented backfield space to work with.
He’s also getting looks from Ivy League schools Cornell and Yale.
Offensive spin: This offense really is fully loaded. I mean they have it all. Quarterback Nathaniel Musselman returns as the general and is an offensive coordinators dream because of his versatility. He can make any throw, at anytime and anywhere. Head coach Rick Conner has always been known for grooming big physical offensive linemen and stout running backs. He’s produced running backs like Zach Zwinak (Penn State), Dwayne Randall (Army) and Joe Riddle (Maryland) and also lineman Rob Havenstein, who was just recently drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the NFL draft. 2015 is no different than past Linganore teams under Conner. The rushing attack will be superb with the likes of Dante and Davon Butler. Junior fullback Dominic Zanoni will also have a part in the rushing party this year. The offensive line will be rock solid behind Justin Knotts, Michael McDonald and Tyler Fleagle. And they will deploy enough weapons in the receiving corps to cause defensive breakdowns with Jack Staub, Jack Wilkerson and Noll Stieren. Conner is one of the best coaches in Maryland prep football history and has stated this is one of the best offenses he’s even coached. After all, the last time we saw a Butler brother duo in the backfield, Linganore made a state championship appearance.
ARMY COMMIT FLEAGLE HEADLINES DEFENSE
DL, #66 Tyler Fleagle (SR.)
Joins running back Dante Butler and safety Wade Stieren as the one of the only players left from the state championship runner-up team in 2013.
Fleagle is also the only returning player from last years front seven that helped lead a tenacious defense in which only gave up on average 10 points per game. He’s a straight workhorse at the line of scrimmage, tormenting opposing offensive linemen with his quick jump and crafty moves.
He’s extremely athletic for his size – standing at 6’3″ and 265 pounds. Last year, he racked up nearly 100 tackles and tallied four sacks in 12 games. Fleagle also recently committed to Army on a full football scholarship and headlines the Lancer defense going into 2015.
Projected stats: 110 tackles, 8 sacks
NG, #24 Ben Iwanski (SR.)
Played a minimal role last year on the special teams unit. Iwanski has opened up some eyes this past off-season, working out at high school combines and beating on his craft to sure-up the Lancer defensive line.
He’s looked good so far in limited scrimmage action and should be a key piece in the defense this year.
Projected stats: 60 tackles, 6 sacks
CB, #14 Daniel Ross (SR.)
The Army lacrosse commit returns as one of the two starting defensive backs from 2014. Last year he shifted around between corner back and safety.
He’ll possess a physical presence at corner back for the Lancer defense in 2015.
Projected stats: 65 tackles, 2 interceptions
FS, #3 Wade Stieren (SR.)
One of three players left from the state championship runner-up team in 2013, Wade Stieren has been a go-to option at defensive back since his sophomore year.
Last year he lead the team in interceptions with five and brings ball-hawking ability to the Lancer defense in 2015.
Projected stats: 55 tackles, 7 interceptions
Defensive spin: If there was a cause for concern on this Linganore team, it would be the defense – losing eight of the 11 starters, including six of the front seven. Head coach Rick Conner has always been a defensive guru, and this unit will most definitely benefit from that this season. They will have one of the best defensive fronts in the area with Ben Iwanski, Michael McDonald and Tyler Fleagle. The real cause for concern is the linebacking core because it is relatively unknown on how much production they will provide, losing all four starters. Expect seniors Gary Ramey, Derek Benjamin and Matt Albano to fill that void. In the secondary they have the personnel to hang with the most athletic receivers in the area with the likes of Dan Ross, Kyle Fahey, Michael Arneson and the ball-hawking Wade Stieren. This defensive bunch hasn’t been on the field together much, but if there were something to go off of, they shutout Hammond in the August 28th scrimmage. Don’t be surprised if there is a few hiccups in the early going, but all-in-all they should be more than solid by the end of the regular season.
Toughest matchups
Week 6, at Oakdale
Week 8, at Westminster
Week 10, Urbana
The Bottom Line
If you discard the 2012 season in which the Lancers went 3-7, head coach Rick Conner has never posted a losing record since taking over the duties in 2002.
Also in his 14 years, he’s been to five state championships – converting two of them. Conner is a living high school football legend and isn’t quite done yet as he has put together another state championship caliber team for 2015.
Conner has claimed this offensive unit is one of the best offenses that he’s been around, which is pretty darn scary considering the talent that has come through the organization.
They have enough weapons on the offensive side of the ball to derail their opposition by halftime and while they quite aren’t there yet defensively, expect them to be fully formulated by the time playoffs come around.
Now, a couple factors will come into play determining their postseason fate. Home field advantage will play a major factoring, especially in the 3A West race. So if the Lancers post an undefeated 10-0 mark throughout the regular season, I like their chances at obtaining the top-seed due to 3A West foes Damascus and Seneca Valley’s tough schedule.
On the other hand, an 8-2 record might not even make the 3A West playoffs, but the Lancers shouldn’t have to worry about that.
Linganore is chock filled with seniors and a freshman prodigy looking to make last years heartbreaking loss to Damascus in the region championship a distant memory as they will hunt for the schools sixth title.
You can follow me on Twitter at @k_fadd and Maryland Sports Access at @MDSportsAccess.
