Vandercook Ventures Back Into 11-Man Football

Key participants for the Vandercook Lake High School Football team are, from left, Leland Barton, Ben Griffin, Sam Griffin, Brian Atkins, Armani Spaulding, Justin Barnes, and Head Coach Dan Midena.

Jeff Steers | JTV Sports

Thursday August 22nd

(8-23-2024, 12:00PM): Vandercook Lake will play 11-man football again creating a full 12-team Cascades Conference.

They Jayhawks switched to 8-man football five seasons ago due to dwindling number of players. The Jayhawks played a junior varsity schedule in 11-man football a year ago going 3-4.

Dan Midena is the second-year coach for the Jayhawks.

“Our goals are to compete and get better every day,” Midena said. “We need to strengthen the bond between teammates and become a complete team.

“That will take a lot of focus.”

Senior Chris Jiminez will lead the Jayhawks’ offense after throwing the most touchdowns in 2013.

Junior Leland Barton is the fastest man on the team. He is expected to play running back on offense and cornerback on defense.

Other key returnees include Trent McKinney (RB/LB), Jonathan Morgan (WR), C.J. Carr (TE/DL), Eadon Briston (OL/DL), Justin Barnes (QB/LB), Vaughn Pangborn (OL/DL), Armani Spaulding (RB/DB), and Leshawn Landrum-Sullivan (TE/DE).

Newcomers expected to make a difference in 2024 include Dan Foley (OL/DL), Ben Griffin (RB/LB), Sam Griffin (WR/S), Jacob Shepard (WR/CB), and Stephen Fair (OL/DL).

The Jayhawks expect to play in the shotgun with two running back and a lot of motion.

Defensively, Rob Crim will run the show as the Jayhawks plan to play a 4-4-3 defense to utilize the team speed.

The Jayhawks count 42 players in the high school program, enough for a varsity and junior varsity squads.

“We are excited about bringing 11-man football back to Vandercook Lake,” Midena said. “We have experienced great numbers in the off-season and at camp.”

Vandercook Lake High School Football Schedule 2024:

Aug. 29 Vandercook Lake at Sand Creek 7 p.m.

Sept. 6 Vandercook Lake at East Jackson7 p.m.

Sept. 13 Leslie at Vandercook Lake (Homecoming) 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 Vandercook Lake at Homer 7 p.m.

Sept. 27 Columbia Central at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.

Oct. 4 Vandercook Lake at Hanover-Horton 7 p.m.

Oct. 11 Jonesville at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.

Oct. 18 Addison at Vandercook Lake7 p.m.

Oct. 25 Cascades Crossover at Vandercook Lake 7 p.m.