Blair Oaks focused on back-to-back state championship runs
WARDSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
Blair Oaks has an opportunity to achieve a feat that's never been reached in its football program's history.
The Falcons are capitalizing on summer workouts ahead of the 2025 season, concentrated on becoming the program's first-ever team to be crowned back-to-back state champions.
Under the leadership of head coach Ted LePage, Blair Oaks has built a dynasty in Wardsville. The Falcons have won four state championships over his seven-year tenure with the team, including six district crowns.
However, one goal that the program is still striving to accomplish is winning state titles in two consecutive years. It took the team less than two weeks after winning the 2024 MSHSAA Class 3 State Championship to turn its attention to that mission.
"We had our team meeting about a week after the state championship game to set the goals and expectations," LePage said. "There hasn't been any talk about last year. It's all about this year."
Coach LePage is bringing back plenty of talent from last season's state championship squad. Blair Oaks has nine returning starters on defense and seven returning starters on offense, including quarterback Tyler Bax, who will be taking the varsity snaps for a third straight season. The Falcons also have two key players back this year, who suffered season-ending injuries in Week 9 of the 2024 campaign: wide receiver Brady Dapkus and running back Hayden Lackman. LePage has observed both those student-athletes preparing and competing for the upcoming season with plenty of heart, which has motivated the entire team.
"They both came out of the hospital, out of surgery, and never missed a day with the rest of the team the entire season," LePage said. "Coming into this offseason, Hayden Lackman has set us off every morning at 6:24. Our workouts started at 6:30 last year, but we started at 6:25 because they wanted to be better... I asked [Lackman], 'Why 6:24?'. He goes, 'We want to be one minute better than last year'."
The Falcons have a rich history of success, sustained by the work ethic of their student-athletes. In fact, Blair Oaks has won six state championships and appeared in eight state title games in its program's history. The team's championship culture continues to thrive because its players choose to stay in the moment and work.
"Our players don't look in the past. We love the tradition. Blair Oaks has a tradition that's unmatched in this area. It's year after year after year, but tradition doesn't win you the next day. It's going to work," LePage said. "I have a big saying here: Work in the dark. When the lights come on, that's when people will see."
Blair Oaks will travel to Maryville for a rematch of last year's MSHSAA Class 3 State Semifinals. Week 1 kicks off on Friday, August 29 at 5:30 p.m.
