The Ironmen open the 2025 season at home Friday against Peoria Richwoods, with new faces stepping into key roles across the lineup.

At quarterback, junior Lucas Beaty takes over for his older brother Kyle, a three-year starter who led Community to back-to-back deep playoff runs and threw for 32 touchdowns and over 2,100 yards last fall.

After winning a three-way offseason competition, Lucas Beaty takes the mantle with a different style than his brother, who led a balanced passing attack last season. 

Lucas Beaty, Ironmen head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz said, is a more physical player than his older brother. 

Lucas Beaty has “a little bit more of a defensive mindset on the field,” Drengwitz said. “So [the] quarterback run will probably be a little bit more integral part of what we do.”

The junior scored twice on the ground in limited snaps in 2024.

Drengwitz said the staff is confident in Beaty’s ability to grow into the role, noting that “you have to give [new quarterbacks] some leash—they’re going to make mistakes as new starters,” but that experience will come with every snap.

In the backfield, Community replaces 2024 All-State selection and Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Calen Taylor, who rushed for 1,240 yards and 24 touchdowns while hauling in eight receiving scores. 

Senior Cole Kretsinger, who totaled 430 yards and three touchdowns as Taylor’s backup, will be the featured running back. Malakai Kinzie, sophomore Kamarion Coleman and slot receiver Jalen Smith provide depth.

A retooled offensive line will pave the way for Kretzinger, where seniors Zach Zeman, Josh Owens and Brady Wolfe “had a great offseason,” Drengwitz said, earning starting roles.

The receiving corps also shifts with the graduation of standout receiver Mar’Quan Gary, who caught 11 touchdowns last year and is now at Illinois State. Returning starter Michael Mavec aims to lead the unit after posting 244 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.

Defensively, the Ironmen graduated  All-State honorable mention and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year AJ Montoya, but return four starters. 

The line is anchored by all-conference picks Kelan Augstin and Damarion Gardner, while linebacker Colton Lecompte and cornerback Micah Drengwitz provide experience. Murphy Brennan steps into the lineup at linebacker, making his debut as a starter.

Senior Brady Carroll will get the start at safety, with juniors Quintin Barton and Mitchell Potts seeing time in the secondary.

That group will be tested Friday, Drengwitz said, as Richwoods features “outstanding and athletic” wideouts.

Iron special teams remain stable with three-year starter Will Castro returning at kicker, a role Coach Drengwitz called a strength.

With new starters on both sides of the ball, Drengwitz said the program’s consistency comes from its culture as much as its personnel.

“Every year, our players step into new roles,” Drengwitz said. “They’re excited for the opportunity to live up to that standard.”

That standard has carried Community to back-to-back Big 12 Conference titles, a semifinal run in 2023 and a quarterfinal finish in 2024—success they look to replicate when the 2025 season kicks off. 

To begin that pursuit, the Ironmen face a Richwoods team that returns junior quarterback Eli O’Donnell, who started one contest and appeared in all nine games last season, and receiver Ayce Hawks, a second-team all-conference pick drawing Division I interest. 

The Knights also bring back three offensive linemen and six defensive starters from a team that went 2-7 last season, including linebacker Ryan Beschorner, an all-conference honorable mention.

“They’re really tough and physical,” Drengwitz said, praising a coaching staff that “prepares them really well.”

The 2025 season opens at 7 p.m. Friday at Dick Tharp Field. 

Catch the action at NCHSinkspot.com/live.