MONFORT HEIGHTS - It could be said that the 2020 La Salle High School football team is an embarrassment of riches returning a roster full of players that held the Ohio Division II state championship trophy high in Canton last December.
However, neither La Salle's supporters nor their players are the slightest bit embarrassed and the only thing the Lancers are truly rich in is talent, much of it earned through hard work, dedication and perspiration. The team that throttled former La Salle coach Nate Moore's Massillon Washington squad 34-17 is back with the same edge and a new mission: protect and repeat.
"We're still doing the same things we did last year, playing guys both ways," La Salle head coach Pat McLaughlin said. "Even though it's a shortened season, it's a longer playoff. We have a lot of guys that have played a lot of games. We've also got a lot of guys that are very smart and they understand we have to do what we did last year in order to have success."
That equation involves putting the time and work in that leads to championships. Championships lead to phone calls and visits from college coaches. It also leads to McLaughlin's phone perpetually buzzing with a text, voice mail or call.
Helping the Lancers coaching staff, particularly on defense, is the return of four secondary players who have already committed to Division I institutions. You may call them Four Horsemen, the Quad Squad or Green Township's No-Fly Zone, but most teams have called them a problem.
Ohio State commit Jaylen Johnson is large enough to play linebacker at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds but will likely be a Buckeye safety once he's finished swarming to the ball for the Lancers. The three-star (according to 247sports.com) is bullish on adding a trophy to the La Salle case.
"Best team in Ohio," Johnson said. "We just have to show it again this year. Same attitude, same demeanor."
Johnson has kept in contact with Ohio State players and coaches over the Big Ten's decision not to play this fall over new coronavirus concerns. He's hearing the talk of spring ball and may angle to graduate early if he can to get involved with Coach Ryan Day's program early.
For now, he looks forward to Friday's opener at Elder. The Panthers were also in Canton last year, finishing as Division I runners-up.
"Let's have a party at The Pit!" Johnson said.
Confidence oozes from all four Lancers lurking in the defensive secondary. Johnson believes it's the best in the nation with their speed, size and resumes.
"The best option is to run and get hit," he said.
Cincinnati Bearcat commit Iesa Jarmon has the same thought process for those hoping to run multiple successful pass routes on La Salle. When asked who may complete passes on them, the answer is identical.
"Nobody, nobody, nobody," Jarmon said. "We can't let anybody. No, no, no. Our team is super-solid. We're returning a lot of our key players from last year We're going to repeat again and win another state championship."
As cocky as Johnson and Jarmon may sound, all agree that Miami RedHawks commit Jaymor Mundy is the secondary swagger-king. "Dripped out" is how his teammates describe him. Mundy tied for the Greater Catholic League-South lead in interceptions last year with six and also casts doubt on opposing pass completions.
"I don't think no one honestly," Mundy said on who may test them. "Coming up to this season, with all of this going on, I don't think no one's going to be able to complete a pass."
Mundy feels he toughened his game up last season and is looking forward to getting to Oxford to begin training for his college career as soon as he's done at La Salle. As for this fall, he's also predicting "back-to-back" championships.
Devonta Smith is a unique Lancer who is part of the secondary, but also a receiving threat. He's also unique in that he's a rare flip from Ohio State to the SEC and Alabama. Smith said the Crimson Tide will probably use him at safety.
He had 38 tackles and three interceptons last season in addition to 11 catches for 271 yards with five of those being touchdowns on offense. Defensively, Smith figures to be waving his arms in the incomplete-mode on a frequent basis.
"I think everyone could (complete a pass) but I feel like with the guys we've got back there, no one," Smith said. "Like no one. I don't think so. We're loaded!"
Loaded is an understatement when you factor in junior running back/linebacker Gi'Bran Payne who has been offered by a "who's who" of schools including Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Iowa and UC. Payne ran for 790 yards and nine scores, caught eight passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns, had 41 tackles, four sacks, three forced fumbles and a pair of picks as a sophomore. 247sports.com lists him as a four-star recruit.
"We're just taking it one day at a time practicing hard every day," Payne said. "We're going to go back and do it again."
Factor in a senior starting quarterback Zach Branam who ran for 1,676 yards and 21 touchdowns and passed for 1,394 and 14 more.
These Lancers roll deep.
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