The 2025 Lewis Cass football season is nearing the end, and senior night marks a special moment for the team and community. Senior Night is a chance to honor the seniors who have worked hard and led the Kings through the season. With the tournament right around the corner, Lewis Cass hopes to build on that energy and finish the year strong with a deep postseason run.
October 17 was senior night for many of the high school football teams in the state of Indiana. It is a special night because it is the last time seniors will get to play a game on their home field. If seniors played during youth league, they could have played at Owens Memorial Stadium for eight to ten years. The King’s three seniors included: Brody Hillis, Julian Davidson, and Gavin Smith.
Last Friday, the Kings came out on top of the Southwood Knights with a score of 21-13. It was an important game for both teams. For the Kings, we needed the win to guarantee our winning season and build momentum heading into the tournament. For the Knights, they were on a two-game winning streak, including a ten-point win over Peru the previous week. Southwood was looking to lengthen their streak and secure another win before a week off due to a first-round bye. With the win, the Kings now have a good opportunity to reach a seven-win season. Achieving seven wins means a plaque will be added to the football locker room, memorializing the wins and the bone hit player from each winning game.
The seniors and coaches were asked some questions about their future plans and favorite memories from football as a Cass King. The three seniors were asked which game they played in was their favorite. Wide receiver and defensive back Julian Davidson responded, “My favorite high school football game I’ve played in was the Manchester game this year. The year before, they beat us by twenty, and we couldn’t stop them. But this year it (the game) came down to the last play of the game and my teammate (Tyler Grist) got a game-winning interception.” Left Guard and outside linebacker, Brody Hillis replied, “My favorite high school football game I’ve played in was the Peru game of my junior year. The year before, they beat us badly, and we never had a chance, but last year it was a back-and-forth game until the fourth quarter, late when we stopped them on fourth down to win.” Running back and safety Gavin Smith also said, “My favorite football game I’ve ever played in was the Peru game my junior year.”
The seniors were also asked more personal questions. Hillis was asked what his favorite memory from high school football included, and he responded with, “My favorite memory of football is my junior year and the time I got to spend with the class above me. They were always fun to be around while taking football seriously.” Gavin Smith and Julian Davidson were asked if and where they would be playing football after high school. Davidson said, “I have thought about playing football after high school. I have been on one visit to Manchester. I really liked the atmosphere and the culture around Manchester. I plan on visiting a couple more colleges before making a decision.” Smith also said, “It depends on where I go, but yes, I’m interested in playing in college.”
Head coach Clay Mannering and assistant coaches Crozier and Plank were asked about their favorite memories with this group of seniors. Coach Mannering responded with, “Hopefully our favorite memory is still in front of us, but the two-game stretch we had against Peru and Manchester this year, where we won both on the final possession, is one that I’ll remember for a long time.” Coach Crozier replied, “It’s difficult to limit to a favorite memory, there are many. I was very fortunate to have Brody and Smitty in class when they were in 5th grade. So watching them grow up and become the leaders they are today has been really rewarding. I got to know JD pretty well last year. 2 of the 3 seniors play in the secondary, so I really look forward to spending time with them at practice. The 3 of them, although small in numbers, have provided excellent leadership for our football team this year. They lead by example, they correct other players, and they are the hardest workers.” Last, Coach Plank included, “I don’t think it can be defined as one single memory for me. With Gavin, I think it was probably when we moved him from the wing/halfback position to Fullback. He didn’t complain or argue and has absolutely excelled in that position since the move. For JD, I think it has been this whole season. He has come out this year and been an absolute game-changer. He’s electric and fun to watch when the ball is in his hands. With Hillis, I think it has been his whole role this season. As a two-way returning starter, he has been one of the bright spots for us on both sides of the ball and was somebody coming into the season that we knew we could count on. He played on varsity as a sophomore and has been around and contributing for a long time. To the point where the other guys have even nicknamed him “Dad.”
Out of the 15-20 players on the eighth-grade football team, only three guys made it to their senior year, which is both surprising and shows how much these three care about the program and culture. Coach Mannering was asked about this and commented, “In some ways I’m surprised, and in some ways I’m not.”
The Kings are on a two-game win streak, including a senior night win over the Knights of Southwood High School and the Apaches of Wabash High School, guaranteeing a winning season and hopefully carrying that momentum and confidence into the tournament. The Kings will play the Charging Chargers of North Montgomery in Crawfordsville on Friday, October 24. Kickoff is at 7 pm. Be there to support our Lewis Cass Kings!
