Sylvan-Lucas Football Moves Up in Classification for 2024 Season

The Sylvan-Lucas Mustangs, coming off a 7-2 record and a second-round playoff appearance for the third time in four seasons in 2023 will have some new experiences for the 2024 campaign.

After finishing second in their 8-Man Division ll district, the Mustangs overpowered St. Francis in their first round playoff game before falling to Minneola in the second round despite holding the Wildcats well below their season scoring average.

As the 2024 season begins, Sylvan-Lucas moves up from 8-Man Division ll to 8-Man Division l thanks largely in part to an influx of former Wilson Dragon players to the roster and they will also be in a new district. 

Head Coach Ben Labertew, entering his 13th season as Sylvan-Lucas head coach and 21st overall says even with last year's senior class having moved on, there is still a good nucleus of returning players. 

Labertew says the schedule will be a challenge with new opponents in their new district (8-Man Division l, District 4) which is why players staying healthy will be a major focal point.

After the first week of practice, the Mustangs were dealt some adversity when two of their players Gage Meier and Peyton Wacker were involved in a head-on collision and sustained serious injuries.  Labertew said this brought the team closer together and made everyone around the program thankful that both players only had to spend a short time in the hospital.

Sylvan-Lucas will open the 2024 season on Friday, September 6 at Thunder Ridge and then travels to Tipton to play St. John's-Tipton on September 13 before returning to Weatherman Field for their home opener on September 20 against Stockton.