A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

2018 Prep Football Previews: Lloyd offense to rely on talented senior running back Travon Mason


The NKyTribune is featuring each of the 21 high school football teams in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties leading up to the first games of the 2018 season on Aug. 17. We will then provide focused coverage of our local teams throughout the regular season and into the playoffs.

By Mike Canizales
NKyTribune contributor

Lloyd senior Travon Mason rushed for a team-high 1,499 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. (Photo by Melissa Martin)

Lloyd senior Travon Mason knows there will be college football recruiters assessing his performances on Friday nights this season. His focus, however, is on his teammates and helping them grow together as a family on and off the field.

“I always put my team first,” Mason said. “Those guys are like my brothers and whenever they have a question or get down on themselves I pick them back up and show them the right way.”

A two-way starter at free safety and running back, Mason is one of 13 returning starters for the Juggernauts, who won the Class 2A district title and finished with an 8-4 record last season.

Mason rushed for a team-high 1,499 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. He looks forward to exceeding those numbers this season with the help of the team’s five offensive linemen.

“We all grew up together, so it feels great knowing they’ll be back for my senior year,” Mason said of the offensive linemen. “I just want to push myself no matter how hard it gets and make sure everyone is behind me doing their job and focusing in on practice.”

The Juggernauts will also have senior Johnathan Williams in the backfield. He spent most of his junior year playing outside linebacker, but he averaged 9.2 rushing yards on limited carries.

“Our offense will rely heavily on Travon being successful,” head coach Eric Turner said. “We previously relied on Johnathan on the defensive side of the ball, but he’s also a strong runner that will be a huge asset to our offense this year.”

Travon Mason

Mason and Williams both earned varsity letters in track. They ran on Lloyd’s 4×100-meter relay team that qualified for the Class 2A state meet. Mason credits their speed and explosiveness in the backfield to the techniques they learned as sprinters in track.

“Not only will (Williams) be the key to my success, he’s going to be the leader of our defense,” Mason said. “I know he’s going to be out there calling plays and making sure everyone is focused on doing their job.”

Even though the backfield looks to be the heart of the team, the Juggernauts must replace quarterback Jordan Fann, who provided 1,300 yards passing and 1,100 yards rushing in his senior season.

The leading candidate to fill the vacancy is junior Dakota Thiel, followed by Austin Daniels and Brian Williams. Each of them have experience under center and could share time early on.

“Whoever is going to be our next quarterback, I know they’re going to work hard and push themselves to the next level,” Mason said. “Right now, Dakota is at the No. 1 spot and he’s been making sure everyone is up doing their job, right next to me and John.”

Turner said the biggest strength of this team is their attitude. The players expect to finish on top in the four-team district once again and get home field advantage in the opening round of the Class 2A playoffs.

“We are a focused, team-oriented group of young men,” Turner said. “The offseason has been very productive for us and we have the mindset of winning the district title again this year.”

LLOYD JUGGERNAUTS
2017 season: 8-4 record, lost in second round of Class 2A playoffs.
District: Class 2A, District 4 with Holy Cross, Newport and Newport Central Catholic.
Head coach: Eric Turner (37-22 in four seasons at Lloyd).

2018 SCHEDULE
Aug. 17 – at East Jessamine, 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 – at Beechwood, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 – MARION COUNTY, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 14 – at Holmes, 7 p.m.
Sept. 21 – at Grant County, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 – CONNER, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 – NEWPORT, 7 p.m.
Oct. 12 – NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 – at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Oct. 26 – SCOTT, 7 p.m.

Other NKyTribune prep football previews:

DAYTON GREENDEVILS
DIXIE HEIGHTS COLONELS
COOPER JAGUARS
CONNER COUGARS
HIGHLANDS BLUEBIRDS
LUDLOW PANTHERS
BOONE COUNTY REBELS
HOLMES BULLDOGS
WALTON-VERONA BEARCATS
BROSSART MUSTANGS
NEWPORT WILDCATS
SCOTT EAGLES
CAMPBELL COUNTY CAMELS
SIMON KENTON PIONEERS
BELLEVUE TIGERS

 


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