Percer said Black Knights have 'some guys I think will step up'

VAN BUREN – Van Buren's football team was hoping to gain a playoff berth in 2024. That didn't happen. The Black Knights – despite impressive wins over Arlington and Fostoria – finished 5-5, and in the 17th spot in Region 22. Last year, the top 16 teams in each region had a Week 11. This year, only the top 12 teams will advance. So things are a bit different. But Van Buren's goals are not. "They stay the same this year, too," senior quarterback Brady Lance said. "We always focus on having a winning record and whatnot, and then the playoffs will take care of themselves." Making the postseason means a great deal to Lance and his fellow seniors. The Black Knights last made the playoffs in 2021, so the 2025 seniors have never been there. "We're just trying to improve from last year, for sure, get in the playoffs," said third-year head coach Ethan Percer. "We had some close games last year with Leipsic and McComb. Just trying to make sure we handle our business and not leave it up to other people at the end of the day, waiting in Week 10 to see where we fall." Percer believes he has the team to do just that. "We've got some guys I think will step up," Percer said. It starts with Lance, whose 2024 season was thwarted by an injury. "He had some time at quarterback last year early in the year where, if he didn't break his hand, he was right there in the mix," Percer said. But now, Lance is healthy, and he figured to be aided by some talented, experienced players at the skill positions. That includes receiver Alex Homan, who had 32 catches for 468 yards and five touchdowns. Will Rampe is back at receiver; he had 24 receptions for 271 yards and a score. Also returning is tailback Brody Scoles, a three-year letterwinner who averaged 5.8 yards a carry in 2024. "We still have some guys at the offensive skill positions that we feel are ready to get the job done," Percer said. The Black Knights have experience on the offensive line, with four of the five positions filled by returners. "They're experienced, they're coming a long way," Percer said. "That's good. They're working through a lot. "We're gonna be a little undersized, but have to be gritty and get after it," Percer said. "They know that." Lance said Van Buren's offense should be effective. "We've got a lot of veteran guys on the line this year, so, should be pretty well protected up front," he said. "Then, I've got two really good receivers behind me. Should be a fun year." That should be the case for the defensive line, where Tommy Basinger and Brooks Hill return. Percer said that Basinger was "really good for us last year," and that Hill has played extremely well. "I think he wrestles 135," Percer said of Hill. He gets after it. He knows what he's good at and works every day. Hard worker, great kid to be around, great kid to have on the team." At the linebacker spots, the Black Knights will be relying on returners in Lance and Caleb Mason, with freshman Issac Bowen seeing time there. In the secondary, Van Buren will need to replace last year's starting safety (and top receiver on offense) Mason Thorla-Lopez. "We're trying to figure out who's going to fit there right now," Percer said. Homan and Rampe return as the starting cornerbacks. "They held it down pretty good for us last year," Percer said. "Will Rampe, that kid, has been stellar for us on defense. (He's) 6-4, 6-5, and he can run and play man coverage." Carson Stone – who plays on Van Buren's soccer team – is expected to handle the kicking and possibly the punting. Van Buren opens on the road against Fostoria Friday.