Lansing may have lost some shiny star power from a season ago, but the Lions are ready for another step forward under Rick Pollard.

Pollard, who took over as Lansing’s head coach in 2022 after a two-win season, oversaw the Lions to a 5-5 mark  a year ago, including a playoff win at Pittsburg in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

“That win really helped us a lot and carried over into the offseason," stated Pollard. “The players have worked hard and had a great few months in the weight room.”

On the field, Lansing loses some firepower in quarterback Dalton Jorgensen (2,200 passing yards), running back Tyrone Butler (961 total yards), wideout Lexton Graftke (1,058 receiving yard) and linebacker Luciano Riggi (141 tackles).

But Pollard and the Lions feel good about the next man up, including senior quarterback Reid Oakley (5-foot-11, 175). Oakley did see time in six games last year, throwing for 282 yards and four scores.

“Reid’s a really good quarterback but had to wait for Dalton to take over the helm,” Pollard touted. “Reid does a good job at running the RPO offense.”

Two familiar names will make plays– senior Makhi Butler, younger brother of Tyrone, at receiver, and sophomore Jaxon Pollard (6-0, 190), son of Rick.

Butler (5-foot-11, 170) will be the primary target after snagging seven catches for 131 yards a year ago. Opposite of Butler will be one of four returning offensive starters in senior AJ Allen (5-foot-11, 145), who roped in seven catches for 206 yards in 2023.

Juniors Tanner Kell (5-foot-10, 170) and Owen Kannaday (6-foot-1, 150) also will see time at receiver, while senior Braden Jackson (5-foot-11, 165) and sophomore Kieron Broadway will snare balls at tight end.

Jaxon Pollard will take carries at running back, as “he’s more the running back type that has some speed, but is also strong.”

Up front, Lansing returns three starters in senior Garrett English (6-foot-1, 230) at center, senior Tyler McTeague (6-foot-4, 220) at right tackle and Josh Huckleberry (6-foot-4, 260) at left tackle.

Sophomore Jonathan Showers (6-foot-1, 270) looks to start at right guard, while senior Caden Pierce (5-foot-11, 245) and junior Aden Leftwich (6-foot-1, 220) will see time at left guard.

“We like the fact that we have three returning starters on the line,” Pollard reviewed. “That gives us continuity and leadership coming into the season and the ability to do some things right away from the first game.”

Defensively, Lansing returns four starters including senior defensive end Ayden Ellington (6-0, 205).

“He’s a dude. He’s a powerlifter and may not be tall for an end, but many have a tough time blocking him because he’s fast and can get off the ball quickly,” Pollard hyped.

Leftwich will help anchor the middle at defensive tackle, while brothers in senior Eli (6-foot-1, 225) and sophomore Noah Mathis (6-foot-1, 215) round out the defensive line.

Lansing will welcome new faces to linebacker corps in seniors Xavier Harmon (6-0 ,175) and senior Aidan Lessard (5-foot-11, 180).

The secondary will feature returning starters in Butler at cornerback and Kell at safety, as well as Pollard also at safety.

Butler also will return kickoffs and punts, while Oakley will double up as an all-conference selection at punter.

Lansing will return to Class 4A after playing many years in the postseason in Class 5A. With the addition of Blue Valley, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. James Academy, Basehor-Linwood and Blue Valley North – along with defending state champion Mill Valley – in Class 5A, Pollard sees it as a good thing for the Lions to play in 4A.

“There will still be plenty of hard matchups in Class 4A, but Class 5A has quickly become perhaps the hardest class in Kansas,” Pollard said. “We have a lot of work before the playoffs, and of course, Bishop Miege will be there, but we feel better being in 4A than 5A for sure.”