<p>The eight touchdowns scored by Austin Streeval last season came in four different ways.</p><p>Streeval used his legs to power into the end zone on four occasions; on two others he was credited with scoring receptions. Mix in the interception return to paydirt against South Decatur and a kickoff return for a touchdown, and the Edinburgh running back’s versatility was on full display.</p><p>The Lancers still finished the year with a 1-9 record, but Streeval understands the opportunities that were missed and feels that he and his teammates have the talent necessary to reverse course.</p><p>“I’m ready to get back on the field to play,” said Streeval, a 5-foot-11, 182-pound senior. “We’re going to have a pretty solid team with a lot of height and a lot of chemistry.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>“I’ve been playing football with a lot of these guys since I was young. This year we’re ready to win some games and have fun.”</p><p>Streeval led all Johnson County players by a wide margin with 154 tackles from his linebacker spot, including a career-best 22 in a sectional loss to Indiana School for the Deaf. While his contributions on that side of the ball will remain critical, Edinburgh coach Tyler DeSpain would also like to see his star player become more involved offensively.</p><p>“Austin is a hard-nosed kid. It’s about getting him more touches on offense,” DeSpain said. “He’s a downhill runner and isn’t afraid to be hit. The more we run, it opens up more for Landen (Burton) and (Caleb) Dewey in the passing game.”</p><p>Sophomore Jarrett Turner is expected to be the Lancers’ other running back.</p><p>Back to do the throwing is junior quarterback Riley Palmeter, who passed for a total of 530 yards and three touchdowns over the team’s final three games. Burton, a junior, and sophomore Dewey, both 6-3, possess the height and athleticism to help give Edinburgh a respected air attack.</p><p>“Riley is doing a great job, too,” DeSpain said. “He’s had a growth spurt, is every bit of 6-foot-2 now and is going to be a good threat for us.”</p><p>The offensive line is anchored by senior tackle Zach Clarkson, a three-year starter. He will team with sophomores Mason Calhoun, a center, and junior tackle Caleb Turner, in the trenches. Junior tackle Joe Ellington figures to factor in here with senior Corbin Burton and sophomore Jesse Vandiver, both guards, occasionally rotating in.</p><p>Besides Streeval, top tacklers returning are Palmeter at linebacker and safeties Dewey and junior Colin Richardson.</p><p>“We’re pretty excited. We’re bringing back seven or eight kids on each side of the ball,” DeSpain said. “We were a young team last year and gave as many guys varsity experience that we could. We’re still kind of young, but just knowing the experience coming in we see a pretty good year out of us.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="Scouting the Lancers" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Coach: Tyler DeSpain</p><p>Last season: 1-9, lost to Indiana Deaf in first round of Class A sectional</p><p>Key returnees: OL Corbin Burton, OL Zach Clarkson and RB/LB Austin Streeval, seniors; WR/CB Landen Burton, QB/LB Riley Palmeter, S Colin Richardson and OL Caleb Turner, juniors; C Mason Calhoun, WR/S Caleb Dewey and RB Jarrett Turner, sophomores</p><p>Top newcomers: K Cade Anderson, LB Travis Bidal and OL Joe Ellington, juniors; WR/CB Braylon Bryant and OL Jesse Vandiver, sophomores</p><p>Outlook: The Lancers look to make the grade this season by having key players in each of the top three grades. Streeval’s ability to both make runs and stop them as one of the team’s many two-way players could determine whether Edinburgh, owner of a 2-28 record the past three seasons, makes a sharp turn toward improvement.</p><p>DeSpain likes progress of Palmeter at quarterback, especially knowing he has a pair of rangy targets to throw to in Dewey and Burton. How the offensive line protects Palmeter and blocks for Streeval is another important component. Defensively, the Lancers must improve after giving up an average of 33 points a game in 2019.</p><p>Edinburgh will find out quickly what kind of potential the season holds with its first two games against Tindley and North Decatur, teams that combined to go 19-3 a year ago. The Lancers had to cancel this Friday’s scrimmage due to a combination of injuries and players in quarantine, but DeSpain expects the team to be close to full strength for next week.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="Three and out: Zach Clarkson" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><strong>1. How do you feel like the team has progressed this offseason despite all of the hurdles in your way?</strong></p><p>I feel we weren’t affected as much as other teams were because we were still in contact through virtual meetings. We might not have been in as good of shape physically as in the past, but we’re getting caught up.</p><p><strong>2. How concerned are you about the threat of outbreaks leading to cancellations or cutting the season short?</strong></p><p>I do worry. This is my senior year and I want there to be a season. As long as everyone follows what they’re supposed to do, I’m confident.</p><p><strong>3. What one word best describes your team’s mentality going into the season?</strong></p><p>Hungry. We want some wins. We had some close games last year and want to close them out this time.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="2020 schedule" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><strong>Date;Opponent;Time</strong></p><p>Aug. 21;Tindley;7 p.m.</p><p>Aug. 28;at North Decatur;7 p.m.</p><p>Sept. 4;Oldenburg Academy;7 p.m.</p><p>Sept. 12;Switzerland County;6 p.m.</p><p>Sept. 18;South Decatur;7 p.m.</p><p>Sept. 25;Milan;7 p.m.</p><p>Oct. 2;at Traders Point Christian;7 p.m.</p><p>Oct. 9;Rock Creek Academy;7 p.m.</p><p>Oct. 16;at Dugger Union;7 p.m.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
