2026 Team Preview: Lawrenceburg Look to Keep Winning Tradition Alive

The Tigers are chasing Sectional Championship No. 24 this season

Head Coach: Ryan Knigga (140-44 in 16th year)
2025: 10-2 (Sectional Champions, lost to Cascade in the Regional 37-33)
Players Lost to Graduation: Keaten McGrath (WR/DB), Jacob Becker (H/LB), Qain Foster (RB/LB), Caden McCool (K), Isaiah Williams (RB), Vander LaBazzo (LB), Mylee McAdams (K), Braxton Gill (TE/DL), Kinser Pope (LB) Colton Moore (OL/DL), Zachary Scribner (OL/DL), Keagan Sturgill (OL/DL), Jordan Hodge (OL/DL), Kaleb Carter (OL/DL), Terry Jones (WR/DB), Cory Hansell (OL/DL)

Crunch Time Episode: Crunch Time - August 17, 2026 - Crunch Time - Eagle Country 99.3

______________________________________________________________________________________

The Tigers believe they would have been state champions in 2025 had they gotten past eventual 3A state champion Casade in the Regional Championship. 

Regardless, Lawrenceburg had another successful season winning 10 games and capturing the school's 23 sectional championship. 

Now in his 16th season as head coach, Ryan Knigga has led the Tigers to eight sectional titles. Nine times, the Tigers have won 10 or more games under Coach K. 

The team feels confident they can win a bunch of games and make a deep run in the Class 3A tournament this season. The Indiana Football Coaches Association sees Lawrenceburg as a top team in the classification as they landed at No. 3 in the 3A Preseason Poll. 

OFFENSE

Offensively, the Tigers will be led by three-year starting quarterback Crue Gilmour. He was a Junior All-State selection last season after throwing for 1,897 yards and 26 touchdowns and rushing for 764 yards and 11 more scores. 

Lawrenceburg will have to fill the shoes of two big-time playmakers that are gone to graduation. Isaiah Williams earned All-State honors last season, rushing for 1,391 yards and 20 touchdowns. Keaten McGrath made big plays down the field as a receiver, totaling 982 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

Brogan Wynn and Grayson Callahan will look to replace Williams' production. Wynn carried the ball 42 times as a sophomore for 302 yards and seven touchdowns. 

At receiver, Mason Manford, Campbell Williams and Hunter Miller are expected to be the primary targets for Gilmour. 

On the offensive line, the Tigers welcome back experienced players such as Ben Pierce and Dennis Welch. Lawrenceburg also returns Dylan Bates who missed a majority of 2025 with a shoulder injury. Seth Graham and South Dearborn transfer Dallas Terrill round out the starting five. 

DEFENSE

Lawrenceburg's defensive line is looked at as the strength of the unit coming into 2026. Dallas Terrill, Seth Graham and Max Nelson have plenty of experience up front. From a production standpoint, the trio combined for 23 tackles for a loss in 2025. Luke Denison and Ben Pierce provide quality depth at the position. 

The Tigers will have four new starters at linebacker following the graduation of Kinser Pope, Vander LaBazzo, Qain Foster and Jacob Becker. Grayson Callahan is the lone returning starter and Lawrenceburg's top returning tackler from a season ago (70). He will be flanked by Jackson Bollmer, Jax Bear, Kaleb Hicks, and Isaiah Barnes.

In the secondary, Jayden Montgomery and Campbell Williams will start at cornerback after playing meaningful minutes last season. Crue Gilmour is the lone safety. Trey Boyce and Saxson Scudder are expected to see the field as well. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Lawrenceburg soccer star Mateo Nunez is expected to take over the kicking duties after the graduation of Caden McCool and Mylee McAdams. Crue Gilmour remains at punter. 

Coach K on Goals/Expectations

"For us it's all about what we can do to get better each week and then get to Week 10 and be playing our best ball. As we tell our teams, you are remembered by championships and that's what we want to be able to do here at Lawrenceburg. Develop great men, be good in the community, have great character, good academics, but then let's flip to that athletic side and maybe put some more hardware, number 24 in that trophy case, and keep this Tiger tradition rolling."