After two winless seasons and three losses in 2023, the Plains Horsemen finally got their winning streak rolling with a 68-6 win over Troy and got a taste of victory.
They obviously liked it. Before the 2023 season ended, the Horsemen picked up two more clear wins, 58-0 over Victor and a 77-26 loss to Darby, ending the 2023 season with a win.
They hope to continue celebrating and adding to the win column this season.
And with five experienced regular players in the class this year, the Horsemen have a good chance of turning things around and having a successful season.
“In contrast to the previous two seasons, we were more successful last year,” said head coach Mike Tatum, who is leading the Horsemen for the second time. “We want to build on that in the future.”
It will be a tall order in the recently revamped eight-team Western Division, which includes the addition of St. Regis-Mullan, but Tatum and his team are confident they have a solid team that can handle the challenge.
Returning for their final season are starters Darren Standeford, a 2023 all-conference defensive back and a speedy quarterback with a strong arm, Zayden Allen, defensive end and wide receiver, Wayne Butcher, D-back/wide receiver, Caleb Lakko, tight end/linebacker, and the massive Pepper Lulack, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound anchor on both sides of the line.
Lakko suffered a leg injury during a game at Deer Lodge last year when he stepped into a hole in the ground and was forced to the sidelines. He has recovered from that freak injury and is ready to play again, according to Tatum.
Junior linebacker/offensive lineman Beau Crabb is also back. Two 6’3″ and 220lb juniors, Kylan Bostick and Atlas Owens, support Crabb on the offensive line and defense, forming a solid front for the Horsemen on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
6’1″, 175-pound sophomore Greg Tatum is a solid linebacker and quarterback. 5’10”, 175-pound sophomore Cody West, a 5’10”, 175-pound defensive back/wide receiver, is also expected to contribute some minutes to the Plains offense and defense.
The Horsemen open the 2024 season on Saturday, August 31st at home against Victor at 1 p.m. They will stay at home the following weekend when they host the Darby Tigers at 7 p.m.
Also on the home schedule this year are Superior (September 27) and St. Regis-Mullan in what appears to be a completely open conference.
Tatum is banking on the athleticism of this year’s team to make them competitive.
“Overall athleticism,” Tatum said when asked about one of the main strengths of this year’s team. “We have some pretty athletic players coming back. It’s going to be a matter of the coaches putting them in positions where they can succeed.”
Tatum said he will focus on consistency.
“Last year we had ups and downs,” he said. “Perhaps it was the teething problems of a new system? We hope to be able to play more consistent football throughout the season.”
Senior Darren Standeford will start at quarterback for the Horsemen when they open their season against Victor in Plains on Saturday, August 31 at 1 p.m. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
The Horsemen’s wide receivers run down the field during a passing drill last week during the opening practices of the 2024 high school football season. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
