For the last three seasons, the Lone Tree Lion football team didn’t have to worry about their kicking game. Recent graduate Travis Gillham started kicking extra points for the Lions sparingly during his freshman season and had assumed the team’s place kicker role during his sophomore season. He finished his career converting 87 percent of his point after attempts (109-125) on Lions’ touchdowns and recorded 25 total touchbacks on kickoffs.

Head coach Chad Shield says the competition to replace Gillham as the Lions’ kicker is wide open, “The guys working at it right now include Michael Schmidt, Wyatt Westfall, Jovonte Squires, Garrett Boxwell, and the wildcard of the group is freshman Austin Marshek,” Shield said, “He is a soccer guy and has been attending kicking camps for the last several years.”

Shield says he is evaluating the players based on their hang time and their ability to directional kick, which will help his coverage team get down the field and minimize their opponent’s big play ability in the return game.

The Lions’ are scheduled to scrimmage the Louisa-Muscatine Falcons this Friday in Lone Tree. The squad will open the regular season on Friday, August 28, hosting the North Mahaska Warhawks.