The Hive Sports

by James Tate

This is a part of an offseason series previewing teams in Davis and Weber County. To look at other team previews, click here.

Layton Lancers

2023 Record (1-10) (0-5)

Head Coach: Trevor Thomas

Growth and development are the key elements of the 2024 second-year Head coach Trevor Thomas is looking for in his team. Hitting the ground late before the 2023 season, a young team and critical injuries made for a tough first year, but one that coach Thomas saw his Lancer team play hard and get a big playoff win over the Copper Hills Grizzlies.  

“That win meant a lot to our program and community,” Coach Thomas said. “Last year, the kids played hard and never quit. We got an extra week of practice, which was huge for the younger players. That win did help us move forward into the off-season. One thing that we have had to clean up was the discipline within the program.”  

Quarterbacks/running backs

Quarterback Madden Sargent

Madden Sargent, the Lancers’ seasoned starting quarterback, is back and entirely in tune with offensive coordinator Koy Cannon’s system. With an impressive touchdown-to-interception rate of 13 to 6, minus the Corner Canyon game, Sargent’s performance was commendable in his first year as a starter in a new offense. A tall, strong-armed quarterback, Sargent’s decision-making skills improved throughout the season, and he’s all set for a stellar senior campaign.

“It’s exciting how much everyone on the team has gotten better from last year to this year,” Sargent said. “We lost a lot of guys, especially on the line, and I’ve been impressed with how much that group has been getting after it to get right for the season. I know everyone on our team knows we have a shot to win region and that’s what we’ve got as our top goal.”

Senior transfer Michael Marriott, a promising addition to the team, will challenge Sargent for the starting quarterback position. Marriott’s athletic prowess and strong arm give the Lancers an excellent one-two combination at quarterback.

Senior Ryan Wensel, a player of immense versatility, is one to watch. Last season, he showcased his skills as a running back, rushing for 406 yards and two touchdowns and making 23 catches for 358 yards and three touchdowns. His adaptability was evident when he seamlessly transitioned to different offensive positions due to injuries. A true team player and leader, Wensel’s athleticism and versatility are set to be a game-changer for the Lancers this season. Wensel stepped in when last season’s starter, Porter Cannon, was injured for the season. Running back Landon McLean returns and provides a great short-yardage runner and excellent blocker for the Lancers.

Wide receivers/tight ends

Wensel is the leading returning receiver, and speedy Teiyon Halbasch is back after showing his athleticism as a kick returner last season. After playing last season at Northridge, senior Malu Lumpkins is a physical receiver who will keep the chains moving for the Lancers offense.

Lumpkins had 36 receptions for 455 yards and three touchdowns for the Knights and will be one to watch for a breakout season.

Other receivers to watch will be senior Preston DeWitt and junior Cordon Erickson. Both will also get time in the defensive backfield.

Offensive/defensive line

The Lancers will replace all five starters on the line with a group excited to show their abilities on the varsity level. Seniors Gavin Grons, Carsin Testi, Titan White, junior Evan Humpries, and sophomore Parker Thurgood are the front runners for playing time on the offensive line.

In addition to the playoff victory over Copper Hills, the Lancers showed the ability to play against top teams with an outstanding effort in a 31-21 loss to the Davis Darts. The Lancers controlled much of the game with their offensive line, keeping the potent Darts offense off the field, but they fell short with costly turnovers in the fourth quarter.

“That game plan against the Darts was a great game plan by our staff,” Coach Thomas said. “We only snapped the ball one second on the game clock, and we had a 13-play drive that resulted in a touchdown. We had the lead going into the fourth quarter, but Davis has a great program and knows how to close out a game. Our problem in that game was believing that we were going to win. Some kids thought we were going to win, and others did not. We are going to have to get over that mental hump and believe that we belong.”

The defensive line will be the first line of defense to improve on last season’s performance of giving up an average of 35 points per game. The young Lancer defense learned that attention to doing the little things right greatly impacts moments of every game.

Junior Lincoln Peterson and sophomore Xander Williams return to lead the defensive line.

“Part of our problem last year on defense was we were on the field a lot,” Coach Thomas said. “Offense had a lot of three and outs, plus we had many underclassmen playing on the defensive side. Coach Kendall Prescott is our new defensive coordinator, bringing new energy to our defense. Our last defensive coordinator had to step away for personal reasons. The thing I like about what he brings is holding coaches and players on defense accountable on defense. Our defense will be well improved.”

Linebackers/defensive backs

Pimental (l) Hunt (r)

Two of the state’s most under-the-radar players are Lancer senior linebackers Jefferson Hunt and Dawson Pimental. Hunt is a sure tackler and playmaker who finished second on the team in tackles last year with 79. Pimental is a hard hitter and a ball hawk at linebacker who quickly reads plays and plays fast. Pimental was the team’s third-leading tackler last season with 68.  

Senior Carlos Diaz will spearhead a Lancer secondary that returns senior Dane Williams and Erickson. Diaz is a physical corner with excellent cover skills and is ready to lead an improved secondary. Williams netted 32 tackles last season, including 10 in the playoff win over Copper Hills.

Special teams

Wensel was an excellent place kicker as a sophomore and will be a lead candidate to fill that role for the Lancers. Kick returner duties will return to Halbasch, and Diaz will fill the punt returner role.

Diaz displayed his all-around skills as the punter and will share that role with Nathan Meacham.

Key games

Aug. 16, 2024, vs West Field Longhorns. Picking up their first win in their first game of the season will be big for the Lancers.

Oct. 4, 2024, at Davis. This game is always a big rivalry, and the Lancers played the Darts tough last season.

Oct. 16, 2024, vs Weber. It’s the final home game of the season, and what better way to send out the seniors than with a win over the Warriors.

photos courtesy James Tate