IHSAA Football Preview Series: Getting to know the 2022 Mishawaka Marian Knights

Editor's note: This story is part of a preview of South Bend area high school football teams ahead of the 2022 football season, set to begin in August.

MISHAWAKA — Knock on the 3A state title game door enough times and the Marian football team will eventually break it down. That is head coach Mike Davidson's philosophy anyway after a third consecutive season fell one game short of a trip to Indianapolis.

The Knights fell to Brebeuf Jesuit in last year's Northern Semistate game. It ended a run for Marian's 15-player senior class, which included four sectional titles and three regional titles. But the trip to Indy has still alluded Davidson and his team.

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"I want to do it," Davidson said at the team's Wednesday practice. "As a coach I want these guys to have that feeling."

Marian will have to replace some key personnel from both sides of the ball this season. But Davidson still thinks by season's end, this group could be in the same position as year's past thanks to those experiences.

"We got a young group this year but they got an extra five weeks of work last year because of that playoff run," Davidson said. "The seniors got an extra five weeks of work each of the last three years. All that work leads to success the following seasons. I am a firm believer of that."

Here is what to know about this year's Marian football team

Marian facts

• Head Coach: Mike Davidson (5th season)

• Last year's record: 10-4 (Lost to Brebeuf Jesuit in 3A semistate)

• 2022 schedule: Aug 19  vs Mishawaka, Aug. 26 at Culver Academies, Sep 2 vs Bremen, Sep 9 vs New Prairie, Sep 16 at South Bend Adams, Sep. 23 at Penn, Sep. 30 vs Angola, Oct. 7 at Elkhart, Oct. 14 vs. South Bend Saint Joseph.

Key losses 

Setefano Sete, linebacker

"He was your oldschool football player," Davidson said. "He loved the sport of football. I think he liked hitting people more."

Sete led Marian with 170 total tackles last season.

Greg Atkinson, wideout

"Just natural given ability, his speed and dynamic playmaking," Davidson said. "You didn't have to coach that. That made us look good as coaches."

Atkinson led the Knights with 842 receiving yards on 40 catches with 11 touchdowns. He also ran for three scores.

Atticus Horvath, lineman

"A great leader for us on the line," Davidson said. "We had some new guys alongside him last year and they won't have him to rely on to get the calls and know what is going on inside."

Key returners 

Mikey Fuller (senior), Nick Cline (junior), Kyle Denison (senior), linemen

Last year they played at a high level, but this summer they have taken it to another level," Davidson said. "All three battled injury last year, but they have done a lot of great work for us up front and will be pivotal for us to be successful. If you got a good line you can win some football games."

Bryce LaSane, junior, quarterback

"More of a leadership role. It’s gotta be his huddle," Davidson said. "He is the one not just coaching those guys around him but making them better and getting them to the point where they feel comfortable and know what they are doing and making plays for us."

LaSane threw for 1,813 yards last season with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions over 232 completions. LaSane also ran for a touchdown last season

Biggest challenge

"Our schedule is a bear," Davidson said. "Outside of one week we are always the smaller school. There is no gimmies. Its not like we can build into it. We got a lot of skill positions to develop."

Keys for the season

"As always, health," Davidson said. "We are a 3A school. We can’t withstand a bunch of injuries. Our senior leadership. That goes without saying. Staying positive and through the course. There is going to be adversity. I won't want to be 2-3 or 4-4, but at the same time if we stay the course, our schedule sets us up to have success in the postseason. That is what it is ultimately all about."

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Indiana high school football 2022: What to know about Marian football