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BATESVILLE, Ark. – The Lyon College football team enters the 2019 season with high expectations as the Scots will open up the year in just over two weeks on Aug. 31 at home against Missouri Baptist. The Scots, who will be led by second-year Head Coach Casey Creehan, will look to build off their 4-7 record from a season ago.
 
"We expect to play as hard as we can and we expect to improve," stated Creehan on the 2019 season.
 
The Scots played in several tight ball games last season, with five contests decided by less than a touchdown, which included a 37-34 win over Southwestern Assemblies of God on Oct. 13.
 
Lyon brings back four of its six All-Sooner Athletic Conference selections from a season ago, which includes Ignacio Gomez, Emetrious Scott and Ethan Skarmas, all of whom received first-team honors. The trio of Gomez, Scott and Skarmas were all named to the 2019 College Football America Yearbook NAIA Preseason Starting Lineup, which is CFAY's version of an All-America team.
 
Skarmas had a record-breaking season on the defensive line for the Scots in 2018. Skarmas finished third on the team in total tackles (41) but led the team in tackles-for-loss (16.5) and sacks (14.5). His tackles-for-loss and sack totals are both single-season records for the Lyon College program. Skarms finished the season ranked second in the NAIA in sacks per game (1.5) and total sacks. He also ranked 16th in tackles-for-loss per game (1.7) and 18th in total tackles-for-loss. Skarmas led the Sooner Athletic Conference in sacks and finished second in tackles-for-loss.
 
Gomez converted on 19-of-22 field goals last season, including a season-long field goal of 45 yards. He also connected on 19-of-22 PAT attempts. Gomez led the NAIA in field goals made and field goals made per game (1.9). He also ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA in scoring (kicking) per game (7.6). His 76 total points this year are the most in a single-season in Lyon football history as his 140 career points are the most in a program as well. Gomez averaged 49.1 yards per kicking, which included nine touchbacks. Gomez was once again selected as the preseason favorite for the Special Teams Player of the Year for the conference, which was announced at the second-annual SAC Media Day on July 18.
 
Scott finished as the top return man for Lyon last season as he returned 20 kickoffs for a total of 566 yards, including a pair of touchdowns. Scott averaged 28.3 yards per return, which was the fourth-best average in the NAIA this season. His 566 total kickoff return yards were also ranked in the top 10 in the NAIA at number six. His return yards, average per return and return touchdown totals were all the top marks in the SAC. Scott returned a kickoff 81 yards in the season opener at Missouri Baptist on Aug. 25, and later returned a kick 91 yards against SAGU on Oct. 13.
 
Sam Taylor is another all-conference selection returning to the Scots this season. In 2018, Taylor set the program record for the most tackles in a single season as he led the Scots with 99 total tackles. He finished second on the team in tackles-for-loss (15.5) and sacks (4.0). His 99 total tackles and 9.9 tackles per game average both were the second-most in the SAC this season. Taylor recorded double-digit tackles in six games this season, including a season-high of 16 at Wayland Baptist on Oct. 6.
 
The Scots added over 50 new players to its roster for this upcoming season. Creehan also added several new coaches to his staff. Renato Diaz joined the staff as the Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator/Wide Receivers Coach. Kris Sweet joined the program this past spring as the new Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach. Jason Fronabarger was named as the Director of Football Operations/Defensive Assistant/Video Coordinator. Creehan's father, Dennis, joins the program as a volunteer assistant and will serve as the Senior Consultant to the Head Coach.
 
The Scots' football team will host five games at Pioneer Stadium in 2019 beginning with their season opener on Aug. 31 against Missouri Baptist at 6 p.m. Season ticket packages are $20 for a season pass (admits one) or $40 for a family pass (admits two). A group season pass (admits six) can be purchased for $380 and includes all football add-ons (six chair back seats, admission into any hospitality event and one reserved parking pass). Fans can upgrade their tickets to include reserved chair-back seating and entry into any hospitality event at the pavilion at Pioneer Stadium for $50 more per season pass or $100 more for each family pass. A reserved parking pass can also be purchased for an extra $50 each. To purchase season tickets, click the link here.
 
Football Contact: Matt Jagodzinski | 870-307-7516 | matthew.jagodzinski@lyon.edu
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