Jays return 10 as new football season approaches

The Three Lakes-Phelps eight-player varsity football season begins next week on the road in Gillett, and the team has been prepping for the new season with more than a week of practice sessions on the practice fields at Three Lakes High School. And while 10 players are returning from last year, the look and flavor of the team will be different as new faces and new position responsibilities will fill the roster.

One of the more visible changes to the team will be at quarterback, where sophomore Sam Koshuta will operate the offense, replacing Easton Lurvey, who filled the role last season. Lurvey threw 11 touchdown passes against only a single interception on his way to a QB rating of 129.4 during eight starts behind center in 2024.

Second-year head coach Justin Szews was impressed with the early practice sessions and Koshuta’s throwing performance.

“Sam has a great attitude and is a very coachable kid,” he said. “As a freshman, he joined the varsity baseball team as a first-time catcher and helped direct traffic on the baseball diamond. And now, through his expanded leadership role as our quarterback, he will be in a great position to lead and help direct traffic on our football team. He also shows great arm strength when throwing in either of the two sports.”

Another sophomore player expected to step up in leadership and on-field responsibilities will be Jack Westfall, who will carry some of the running and defensive roles of all-conference player Carter Flannery, who graduated from Three Lakes High School in the spring. Westfall made 10 tackles in his freshman season and also ran the ball well in his limited time on the field.

The Bluejays also expect another solid year of production from senior Sawyer Szews, the only team member to play in four consecutive seasons. Szews was a first-team all-conference selection in 2024 when he ran the ball for more than 300 yards, scored three touchdowns and a two-point conversion, and defensively made three interceptions and 75 total tackles.

On the receiving side of the roster, junior Owen Liebscher is another all-conference honoree returning to the Jays following a year when he had 426 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches. He also performed well defensively with an interception and 50 tackles to his credit.

According to coach Szews, “the combination of Jack, Sawyer and Owen will be a challenge for many teams this season. They are all fast, smart and talented kids with great potential.”

Other returning letter winners are Garrett Mandli, David Littleton, Jack Bauknecht, Brady Roberts, Bentley Bills and Zach Weavers.

Each played for the Jays last season and will likely see additional time on the field this year. Coach Szews said they are all talented players and he has been especially pleased with the kicking improvement of Weavers, who last season was an all-conference honoree for his kicking.

The Bluejays will also see some new faces on the team as Josiah Kleinhans, Aydan Schepple, Wyatt Donnor, Carter Nelson, Logan Running, Dane Feleseni and Peter Cruckson did not play for the team last year but are all available and trying to find their individual fit on the team. Coach Szews will also be joined again by his active assistant coaches Scott LeBuis, Jim Moore, Rich Martin and Doug Nelson. Lost to the team this season due to graduation, in addition to Flannery, are Doug Koshuta, Charlie Liebscher, Noah Kincaid and Trace Cotrill.

The Jays will compete in the Northeast Conference again this season with familiar opponents such as Florence, Laona-Wabeno, Niagara, Elcho-White Lake and Wausaukee. The season officially starts with a non-conference matchup on Thursday, August 21, at Gillett High School with game time at 7:00 p.m.