In the 2024 season, No. 11 in gold and navy trots out at the front of a throng of shoulder pads and helmets, carrying a wooden crucifix, every night when the host stadium’s hype song du jour begins to blast.
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The Crusaders have given the senior all year long that type of leadership for a team with high goals, and that No. 11 is Bishop McDevitt’s Lucas Lawler, an all-league defensive end.
In a 34-31 classic victory over Roman Catholic on Friday night, Bishop McDevitt achieved its third state title thanks to a field goal from Aidan Grella in overtime. Lawler and fellow senior quarterback Stone Saunders embraced when the pigskin fluttered in, celebrating everything they had achieved over their four years in gold.
I’m playing my final football game. Lawler remarked, “It’s just the best way I could end it.” I appreciate that my colleagues placed me in that role, and I love being the guy holding the cross. Coming in and winning this football game excites me greatly. My brothers have my utmost admiration.
Saunders pointed out that Lawler was unrelenting throughout the game, feeling that the Crusader was held multiple times without a call. Lawler finished with seven total tackles from the edge spot and put a lot of pressure on Roman Catholic standout quarterback Semaj Beals.
Although he finished the season with 14 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss, Lawler feels that football is over. He is now preparing to focus entirely on wrestling, his primary sport, and compete for a state championship after placing fourth on the podium at the championships the previous year.
“Winning a state title is the only objective ever,” Lawler stated. I constantly want to be the best, and that is the best thing you can do. I will immediately enter the room and prepare myself.
We spoke with senior captain DE@LucasLawler8, who played his final football game and left with a state championship, though @CoachWeachter believes otherwise.Twitter: pic.twitter.com/7UNKL8QM3b
Lawler’s friend Saunders was under increasing pressure to help them send him out with a victory over Roman Catholic because they knew that it was his final football game.
“This was probably even more important for him than it was for me because he probably won’t play football ever again,” Saunders added. Though I’m happy for him, I wanted to do this for the people here, and I’ll continue play this game.
Jeff Weachter, Lawler’s head coach, isn’t so sure the pass rusher is finished; he believes the footage will pique football teams’ interest. The previous time McDevitt won a state football championship, Riley Robell, the team’s all-state defensive lineman, went on to capture a state wrestling gold before starting an exceptional collegiate career at James Madison.
“I don’t think this is his final game,” Lawler remarked. We’ll need to meet because I believe he’s going to receive some bigger football-related offers after we release some highlight film. Whatever he decides is up to him; I don’t care. However, I believe he will have a shot.
In any case, Weachter believes that without Lawler, the squad would not be where they are now.
According to Weachter, Lucas has been the defense’s mainstay. The cross is in his hand. Although the seniors led well, [Saunders and Lawler] were the team’s leaders for the entire season.
The senior now gets to enjoy himself for a few days before he resumes his weight-cutting and wrestling regimen.
It’s incredible. According to Lawler, it’s a dream come true. I wasn’t even meant to get to McDevitt. And it’s the nicest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life.
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