The Lambert Longhorns kick off their 2023 season on August 18 at 7:30 p.m. against the Sequoyah Chiefs at The Horn.
Lambert Head Coach Marc Beach is leading the team for his second consecutive year. He started at Lambert three years ago as the offensive coordinator before being appointed head coach. In Beach’s first season as head coach, the Longhorns ranked second in the region with a record of 10-2 — Lambert High School’s best record in history. Beach has equally as high expectations for this year’s Longhorns as the players continue to grow and develop.
“We went from 118 players last year to 139,” Beach said. “We’ve been building this team for four years. We’ve got more depth on the offensive line than we’ve ever had… that’s a pivotal part for us to have success.”
Last Friday, Lambert lost to Roswell in their first scrimmage of the season. Despite the loss, Beach is prepared to bounce back in this week’s game against Sequoyah.
“We’re still in a learning deal,” Beach explained. “The better teams improve from week zero to week one. Roswell is really good, so I’m not disappointed in the outcome of some of the things that happened because we can grow on them,” Beach explained. “Every week, we’re wanting to try to go 1-0. I know these guys will play hard and we just have to get better and better.”
Sequoyah finished with a 5-6 record last season, including a 27-point loss to Lambert in the first game of the season. However, Coach Beach is still prepared to secure Lambert’s first win of the season.
“We’ve got to be able to be in the position to make plays, and, defensively, they do a lot of different and crazy stuff,” Beach said.
Junior and star running back Tommy Lafayette is someone that Beach considers to be one of the pivotal players to Lambert’s success.
“I’ve got to focus on knowing what to do and where to be every single play,” Lafayette said. “I have to focus on that stat line because this is a huge year with stats for me, and I have to get as many yards and touchdowns as I can.”
Lafayette is excited about this season’s quarterbacks in particular.
“Ethan Daughtery and Marshall Coleman, having no varsity experience at all, are battling it out for the starting quarterback position, which is huge,” he explained. “I’m excited to see what they’re going to do, how they’re going to perform and what they’re going to be like this year.”
Lafayette is excited and prepared for the season’s kick off this Friday against Sequoyah.
“I’m pretty confident with the team and pretty confident with our abilities going into this game and our prep work,” Lafayette said. “Coach [Tony] Haynes has done a lot with film, and I think that we can take them down.”
