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Gilmour football: Lancers blast Lutheran East in regular-season finale, focus on playoffs

john kampf, the news-herald, willoughby, ohio
·4 min read

Oct. 19—The Gilmour football team is ready for a playoff run.

The Lancers are healthy, and thanks to a game plan that played out perfectly on Oct. 19, they are more experienced than they were earlier this week.

After scoring two early touchdowns, Gilmour coach Tom Kaufman substituted freely and got his players a ton of valuable playing experience en route to a 27-8 win over Lutheran East in a game that was played at Euclid Community Stadium.

Gilmour improved to 8-2 in the regular season. According to JoeEitel.com, the Lancers could finish anywhere from third to ninth in a loaded Division III, Region 9 field. The Lancers will find out who they play and where on Sunday, Oct. 22.

"Getting a home game would be great," senior quarterback Jake Kavcic said. "Last year we lost a tough one (at home) to Geneva. It would be great to have another chance to win a playoff game at home."

Kavcic didn't get a lot of playing time in the regular-season finale, but he made the most of the one quarter of action he did see. He connected with junior receiver Sean Dillard on a 31-yard post pattern on the fourth play of the game for a 7-0 lead. Then after a Lutheran East punt, he guided his team down the field on another four-play drive — including a long pass to Matt Lambert — to set up a seven-yard TD run by his twin brother Andy Kavcic.

Touchdown @GALancerFB . Jake Kavcic to Sean Dillard 31 pass. A quick 4-play drive by the Lancers for a 7-0 lead over @LutheranEast . pic.twitter.com/LyZVOYr1Ui

— News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) October 19, 2023

That was pretty much the end of the night for Jake Kavcic, who gave way to backup Cooper Panteck.

"That was the plan coming in," Kavcic said. "Get some of the other guys playing time. We did the job the best we could."

Another four-play drive for @GALancerFB. Andy Kavcic 7 run. With 7:25 in the first Gilmour leads @LutheranEast 13-0. pic.twitter.com/MsG9wrIMTs

— News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) October 19, 2023

The plan to get a lead and substitute worked just the way Kaufman wanted it to. Developing depth — and staying healthy for what the Lancers hope is a long playoff run — is important.

"Things went well early on," Kaufman said, "so we wanted a chance to get our younger kids in there. (Lutheran East) is a really good opponent, but we got it going early."

Gilmour didn't miss a beat once Cooper Panteck took over at quarterback. When Jake Kavcic missed three games with an injury, Panteck stepped in at starting quarterback.

Long pass from Jake Kavcic to Matt Lambert set up that @GALancerFB score, pic.twitter.com/ucHzB1JNr3

— News-Herald preps (@NHPreps) October 19, 2023

Panteck hit Brody Lennon on a 32-yard touchdown pass right before the half for a 21-0 lead at intermission.

"I can't imagine the number of high schools he would be starting for," Kaufman said of Panteck, a junior. "We are very fortunate. He's a good leader, the kids respect him and he slings it around really well. We are very blessed to have two good (quarterbacks)."

Andy Kavcic upped the Gilmour lead to 27-0 in the third with a 30-yard touchdown run. He credited the Lancers' line for his success.

"They opened up some big holes," he said. "They're small, but they move big guys. They do a tremendous job. They make me look good."

Lutheran East (2-8) punched in a late score, but the damage was already done by the Lancers' hot start. The Gilmour starters cheered emphatically with every big play the reserves made.

With the regular season in the books, Kaufman & Co. turned their attention to postseason play. Kaufman said the key will be defense.

"When I first got hired here, I told the players the No. 1 thing we have to do is get better on defense," he said. "They've done that. I love the way they fly around. They hunt takeaways."

Now they just have to wait to find who they play next.

"Obviously you want to end the season on a high note," Andy Kavcic said, "and play your best football. Now we've got some confidence. Whoever we play we'll be ready for."

PHOTOS: Gilmour vs. Lutheran East football, Oct. 19, 2023