Lexington — Welcome to Richland Source’s 2026 high school football previews. Over the coming days, we’ll preview all the schools across the county. Each preview features this season’s schedule, last season’s performance, statistics, a player to watch and what fans can expect under the Friday night lights.
Today, we preview the Lexington Minutemen. Find all of our 2026 high school football previews here.
Graham Auto Mall is proud to back our area’s local athletes and help Richland Source provide fans in-depth coverage of the upcoming high school football season.
Lexington Minutemen 2026 Preview
Division: III
Region: 10
Conference: Ohio Cardinal Conference
Coach: Jacob Owens
Last year: 9-2
Playoff Appearances: 10 (2025, 2024, 2023, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2008, 2007, 2001)
Playoff Record: 7-10
PLAYER TO WATCH 👀
Daniel Hudson: A senior tight end and defensive end, Hudson was an Ohio Cardinal Conference honorable-mention pick last fall. He recorded 25 tackles and a sack.
BY THE NUMBERS 📊
3
Ohio Cardinal Conference championships won by Lexington including last year’s outright title. The Minutemen shared the crown with Ashland in 2016 and won it outright in 2008.
20
Seniors lost to graduation, including Division I recruits Brayden Fogle (Georgia) and Joe Caudill (Michigan State).
31
Turnovers forced by Lexington last fall. The Minutemen picked off 19 passes and recovered 12 fumbles. Lex returned five of those turnovers for touchdowns.
60
Total points scored by graduated kicker Cohen Lautzenhiser, last year’s Ohio Cardinal Conference Special Teams Player of the Year. He was 51-for-55 on PATs, booted three field goals and averaged 55.9 yards per kickoff with 29 touchbacks.
2025 RESULTS
Lexington 36, Ontario 16
Shelby 37, Lexington 13
Lexington 31, Clear Fork 28
Lexington 70, Akron North 0
Lexington 42, Wooster 14
Lexington 48, Mansfield Senior 6
Lexington 41, West Holmes 7
Lexington 44, New Philadelphia 20
Lexington 49, Madison 17
Lexington 43, Ashland 35
Playoffs
Toledo Central Catholic 49, Lexington 18
2026 SCHEDULE 📅
Aug. 21 — at Ontario
Aug. 28 — SHELBY
Sept. 4 — at Clear Fork
Sept. 11 — DOVER
Sept. 18 — WOOSTER
Sept. 25 — at Mansfield Senior
Oct. 2 — WEST HOLMES
Oct. 9 — at New Philadelphia
Oct. 16 — MADISON
Oct. 23 — at Ashland
TWO MINUTE DRILL ⏱️
Jacob Owens was approved as Lexington’s coach on July 22 after the death of Andrew Saris in late-June. Owens was Lexington’s offensive coordinator the past three seasons. This is his first head coaching job. Perhaps the biggest question mark is who will take over at quarterback for the graduated Joe Caudill. Owens said there is an open competition for the job. Junior Lane Schuster completed his only passing attempt last fall. Lex returns a pair of All-Ohio Cardinal Conference second-teamers along the line of scrimmage in junior Wyatt Cornell and senior Andrew Badnell. Junior running back Bobo White will have a bigger role in the offense after rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.
Love high school football? So do we! 🏈
Stay ahead of the game with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes coverage, and expert analysis from veteran sports reporter Curt Conrad.
