Family legacy fueling historic ALAH season

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Nov. 21—ARTHUR — Ryan Jefferson wasn't the only one fighting emotions in the moments after the Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond football team beat Westville last Saturday in a Class 2A state semifinal game.

It was a full-circle moment of sorts for the ALAH coach, now in his eighth season. Lucas Otto was a key piece of Jefferson's first few teams.

His younger brother, Marcus, is the ALAH quarterback this season, a historic season for the Knights. He produced a 163-yard effort in the 42-35 against the Tigers last weekend.

The Otto family is connected to the past, present and future of the ALAH program. In meaningful ways. Lucas was killed in a car accident on June 30, 2022, and is never far from the minds of the Knights.

"With Lucas, he'd be so proud of where the program is," Jefferson said. "It's just pretty cool to be able to look at that scoreboard and see what he will be remembered for."

Lucas finished his high school football career in 2019 as the program's all-time leading tackler, securing 324 stops before being surpassed by Maddix Stirrett in 2024.

He's been at the top of mind for Marcus and the Knights throughout their journey to the program's first Final Four since Arthur-Lovington went 12-1 during the 2004 season. The Knights (12-0) will host Maroa-Forsyth (10-2) at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Wilson Field in Arthur with a spot in the state championship game on the line.

"When my brother was in the program, they didn't really get to go far in the playoffs," Marcus said. "Being able to play and go far in his honor really means a lot."

Marcus was in fourth grade when Jefferson began coaching the program in 2018 and grew up watching Lucas play multiple sports.

Their athletic arcs share a few similarities. Both have pitched for the Knights' baseball team.

But Lucas made his name on the defensive side of the ball.

"A big, physical linebacker and lineman," Marcus said, adding he remembers watching brother "dominate and blow kids up."

Parents Steve and Melissa have been front and center for the Knights' run through the postseason.

"For me, personally, obviously very excited," Steve said. "Especially for the boys. Great group of kids. They're very disciplined. They get along great. Very good friends with each other, and the community is totally behind them. It's exciting to see all that come together."

One of the Knights' 12 wins on the ledger for 2025 came via forfeit against Cerro Gordo/Bement on Oct. 17. Otherwise, ALAH's offense has averaged just north of 38 points in its 11 triumphs on the field which earned the program an outright Lincoln Prairie Conference title.

Easton Frederick is the Knights' leading rusher with 675 yards and 11 touchdowns on 76 carries. Payton Warrior has added 421 yards and three touchdowns on 46 carries, while Trey Strode has scored eight times with 418 yards on 56 carries.

Cash Hale has helped Otto and Cruz Hale, his twin brother, with 508 receiving yards and six touchdowns through the air. Cruz has thrown for 323 yards and six touchdowns while splitting quarterback duties with Lucas before a hand injury has thrust Lucas into a more prominent role.

"I want no regrets," Cruz said. "I want this to be the best season, the best memories ever. I don't want to remember (in five years) if I would have made that tackle, or if I would have hung out with my friends more."

ALAH's defense has allowed an average of 14.8 points, with Elijah Van Syoc's 120 tackles leading the way. Frederick has added 111 tackles while Warrior has chipped in 101 tackles.

"As a senior, you don't want to let the people around you down," Warrior said. "Especially all the bonds you get with your teammates."

Marcus, for his part, has completed 41 of his 67 passing attempts for 893 yards and 10 touchdowns against two interceptions. He's rushed for 570 yards and seven touchdowns on 71 carries and added 23 tackles and six interceptions on defense.

Center Kamden Morfey has helped ease Marcus' transition into the focal point of the offense.

"It's especially different," Morfey said of working with two quarterbacks during the course of the season. "They're both two different people, but you get used to both of them. It's just great to have two people who can do the same job and do it really well."

Marcus also had experience as the Knights' junior varsity quarterback before emerging this fall.

"I just knew he was going to be a difference-maker," Jefferson said. "We needed him out there at the quarterback position. The last four games that he's been on his own, he's just taken over, and it's been awesome to see."

Jefferson — who delivered the eulogy at Lucas' funeral — makes it a point to find the Otto family after every game.

Only three of the 33 games since Marcus joined the program have ended with the Knights on the wrong end of the scoreboard. The scoreboard at Wilson Field is named in Lucas' honor.

So too is a postseason award that future Knights will strive for. Frederick, Ryan Appleby and Noah Garrett have already won it.

"That is a huge deal," Cruz said. "I think that's way more important than MVP, because the things that Lucas stood for, the type of human he was, that is very important."

ALAH isn't thinking about its awards banquet yet. Not on the eve of the chance to book a trip to the program's first state title game since Atwood-Hammond won the Class 1A state title in 1980.

An Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond team hasn't made it this far since the schools consolidated in 2013.

Its players are feeling the energy in the hallways of the school — parts of which are more than 100 years old — and around the community, which boasts plenty of red and gold.

"All the other kids that don't even play football are excited," Cruz said. "We've got some of our buddies talking and making bets. One of my buddies just dyed his hair pink because we won (against Westville). … Everybody is having fun."

While also remembering one of their own in Lucas Otto.

"He was the best possible teammate," Jefferson said. "As a parent, he's the standard for my two boys on what kind of person and teammate I want them to grow up to be."

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