Plains Horsemen plan to ride high this season

After two winless seasons and three losses in 2023, the Plains Horsemen exploded for a streak-busting 68-6 thrashing of Troy, getting a taste of victory. 

They apparently liked it. Before the 2023 season ended, the Horsemen picked up two more lopsided wins, 58-0 over Victor and a 77-26 drubbing of Darby to close out the 2023 campaign on a winning note. 

They hope to continue feasting this season and adding to the “W” column. 

And with a class that has five returning senior starters this year, the Horsemen have a good shot at turning the corner and crafting a winning season. 

“We had some success last year in the win column as opposed to the previous couple of seasons,” said head coach Mike Tatum, who is in his second stint at the Horsemen helm.  “We would like to build on that as we move forward”. 

It will be a big challenge in the recently altered Western Division eight-player conference, including the addition of St. Regis-Mullan. But Tatum and his staff feel they have a solid team capable of the challenge. 

Back for their senior seasons are starters Darren Standeford, a 2023 all-conference defensive back and a quick quarterback with a strong arm; Zayden Allen, defensive end and wide receiver; Wayne Butcher, d-back/wide receiver; Caleb Lakko, tight end/linebacker; and massive Pepper Lulack, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound anchor on both sides of the line. 

Lakko suffered a leg injury last year during a game in Deer Lodge when he stepped in a gopher hole, sending him to the sidelines. He has recovered from that freak injury and is ready to go, according to Tatum. 

Junior linebacker/offensive lineman Beau Crabb is also back. A pair of 6-foot-3, 220-pound juniors, Kylan Bostick and Atlas Owens, join Crabb on the offensive line and defense, giving the Horsemen a solid front on both sides of the line of scrimmage. 

Sophomore Greg Tatum, at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, is a solid linebacker and quarterback. Also expected to contribute minutes to the Plains attack and defense is sophomore Cody West, a 5-foot-9, 160-pound defensive back/wide receiver. 

The Horsemen open the 2024 season at home against Victor at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 31. They remain at home the following weekend when they entertain the Darby Tigers at 7 p.m. 

Also on the home schedule this year is Superior, Sept. 27, and St. Regis-Mullan in what appears to be a wide-open conference. 

Tatum is counting on the athleticism of this year’s team to make them competitive. 

“Overall athleticism,” Tatum said, when asked to name a key strength of this year’s squad. “We have some pretty athletic players coming back. It will come down to the coaches putting them into positions for success." 

Tatum said he will be focusing on consistency. 

“We were up and down last year,” he said. “Growing pains of a new system maybe? We hope to play more consistent football throughout the entire season."

    Senior Darren Standeford will start at quarterback for the Horsemen when they open their season versus Victor in Plains on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Horsemen wide receivers head downfield in a passing drill last week during the opening of the 2024 high school football season practice sessions. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)