New-look LHAC creating plenty of buzz at media day

HOLLIDAYSBURG — The Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference was already one of the premier conferences in the state ahead of 2023. Add Bald Eagle, Bellefonte, Bellwood-Antis, Clearfield, Huntingdon, Philipsburg-Osceola and Tyrone to the fold and the conference becomes even more prominent from top to bottom.

Players and coaches from all four sections of the conference met at Hollidaysburg's Tiger Stadium to discuss the upcoming football season with plenty of buzz surrounding the new-look conference.

Somerset eyes better success

Following a 1-9 campaign a year ago under then first-year coach Jeff Urban, Somerset is eager to turn the page and compete in a league full of talent.

"Our league, in my opinion, is one of the best leagues in the state," said Urban. "We have to show up and play our best football. The conference absorbed these new teams, and it gives our kids an opportunity to play against quality teams from different areas of the state."

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The Golden Eagles will likely not have any senior starters on their roster. However, a crop of core underclassmen will hopefully help turn the tides this season.

"We thought last year that we couldn't compete with a lot of teams in our league because we had a lot of JV-aged kids playing," Urban said. "It's amazing how these kids have grown in a year. Physically, we feel that we can match up with teams in our league because we aged a year.

"Our defensive line is going to be able to contain and play with a lot of teams in our league. We have some speed in the back that will keep us in ball games because of our defense."

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Junior signal caller Lane Lambert has seen plenty of action the past two seasons despite missing some time with injuries. He is going to be a key cog in the wheel once again this season if the Golden Eagles are going to produce better results.

"We are going to be up there with these other teams. We are going to be more competitive and be more physical and stronger," Lambert said. "We have a lot of experience under our belts, and it is helping prepare us for the upcoming season. We have chemistry and that is going to help us these next two years. Dedication and leadership are going to help us as well."

Steeped in tradition

The LHAC produces champions, not only conference but also District 5 and 6 perennial powers as well. Veteran Richland head coach Brandon Bailey believes the addition of eight schools will benefit the LHAC from top to bottom.

"It's always been a competitive league," Bailey said of the LHAC. "You always have a competitive game each Friday night. Adding storied programs like Tyrone, Clearfield and some of those schools that have done well over the years, is just going to build on the success of the league.

"You still have your local rivals. There's a nice mix of playing your current rivals and adding new ones. We are excited."

McCort-Carroll head coach Tom Smith played in the league and was an assistant at Richland, Greater Johnstown and Bishop McCort before taking over at his alma mater. He understands the challenges faced each week in a very deep league.

"It's amazing the evolution," Smith said of the LHAC. "Playing in this league with the tradition of Johnstown ‒ 100 and some years as a football program ‒ that's unbelievable. Playing teams like that, and then you got schools like Richland and the success they've had the last few years, and Westmont and the history of our program combined with Bishop Carroll ... holy cow. In terms of football and playing in a league with teams, it doesn't get much better than that.

"Every Friday night, we're facing a really solid opponent, and we look forward to those challenges. We love playing in this league. There's some really, really good coaches. They're all good coaches and there's some great kids to compete against. We're looking forward to it. It's going to be great."

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on Twitter @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: LHAC has new look but familiar competitive nature in 2023