Creason takes the reins as L

By BRETTADKISON LEADEREDITOR

W Wiith a new coach at the helm and some returning in k players keey positions, the les f Lathrop Mu foootball team g f will be lookin foor a resurgence in 2023.

In 2018 and 2019, the Mules had a dream run, going 27-2 while earning two ttifil state semifinals appearances ’ and the program s first-ever spot in the Missouri Class 2 State Championship (finishing second in 2018). en f Wh foormer head hn U coach Jo Unnrein resigned this past offseason, the dist didn tric n’’t need to look far to find the program’s new def leader, tapping feensive coordinator Corey Creason, who had been with the program since 2019. Creason previously served as head coach at Crest Ridge and Stewartsville, and was a spe- a “The playyers are taking it personal, in that they bhh want to be the group that turns our program around,”

But Lathrop has been g f searchin foor answers since that golden period, going v 7-22 o er the last three years.

,ap r f cial teams coordinato foor Hamilton in 2015 and 2016 (during which the Hornets made the semifinals twice and won a state championship).

Creason said the suml f mer went wel foor the proug a gram and the playyers bo ght into what the coaches have tried to instill. He said they had a good showing at a team camp they attended, and their attendance in the weight room has gone up y g f a despite havvin feewer playeers a than the previous year (havving a smaller senior class).

Creason said. “ There wasn’t much flack at all. The boys are hungr y to change the direction of the program, and our juniors and seniors have really stepped it up ” v Seveen seniors will lead y f the wa foor Lathrop this season, giving an other wise young group important experience. Those seniors are Carson Clay (TE/LB), Coda k Kirkppatrick (OL/DL), Garrett Smith (RB/LB), Keaton