LENTZ ADJUSTING TO HIGH SCHOOL GAME, QUICKLY

Conner Lentz has scored a touchdown in each of the first two games of his sophomore season. Neither was in a mop-up role.

At Ozark in week 1, Lentz rumbled 39 yards for a third quarter touchdown in what was at the time a tie game. Friday night he caught a 13-yard pass from Dax Goff, in traffic, against Camden Fairview that tied the game at 8-8 in the second quarter.

The success hasn’t spoiled Lentz.

“I was just looking to play a little bit this year and work my way up,” Lentz said.

On his first high school touchdown Goff threw a key downfield block, the second was decided in a time out and was an in-game adjustment, Lentz said.

“I had a little bit open space but as soon as the ball was thrown, they collapsed on me and I went up and made a catch,” said Lentz.

Lentz also ran nine times for 72 yards. He had 44 yards on his touchdown reception drive with one run that, against many opponents, is likely a touchdown.

The 72 yards Friday came on the heels of a 60 yard game in the opener at Ozark and it would seem Lentz joining the 100-yard club is not too far in the future.

While scoring in consecutive games to start a sophomore year is somewhat rare, unlike previous sophomores, Lentz did have the benefit of not coming into the season as a complete newbie.

Lentz moved from the junior high to the senior high roster in week eight last year – playing on consecutive nights that week – then played in six more games.

The 2022 senior high stat line may not show it, but Lentz and his head coach both believe the experience was beneficial.

“I think it helped quite a bit. Just getting to know the speed of (the high school game), and adjust to it, and not come out (this year) and have to figure that out,” said Lentz.

“He has done a tremendous job,” said head coach Doc Crowley. “He’s a totally different kid this year. He has matured greatly, and if continues to do so he’s going to be a really special player.”

The last sophomore to score in his first two games was Randon Ray. Ironically, Ray, as Lentz does, also wore number 3.

“I couldn’t be number 4. I guess 3 is mine now,” said Lentz, and, in regards to following the reverence given the number, “that’s what they told me when I took it.”

Lentz has also, since beginning seventh grade as a quarterback, had to handle a shift to the running back position last season and is unlikely to go back under center.

“It was better for the team,” he says of the change.

He has also had to adjust defensively. Lentz has been manning a defensive end spot while classmate Clint Osborne works his way back from an injury.

If rushing and receiving touchdowns seem to be an odd pairing by a sophomore Bearcat, check out Lentz’s daily schedule.

He starts the day in a college level HVAC course, makes his way to the main building for English, winds up back in the agriculture building for advanced mechanics and eventually ends up in Algebra II and honors biology.

“I’m just trying to get as much stuff as I can get to use in later life,” said Lentz. “I’m going to trade school after high school.”

But while in high school Lentz wants to be in Beta, which demands an honors class, necessitating the biology course.

Typically outdoors, Lentz spends his time outside of football and the other sports he plays mowing or other work involving rent house maintenance for his father, John Lentz.

His mother is Ashely Hoopaw, who joined the school district staff as a special education teacher this year, and he is the oldest of seven siblings.