The time, effort and dedication that go into each practice, game and film session for LHS football is truly something special. It is clear that the LHS players come together as one because of their coaches, time commitment and devotion to being the best. And it has worked — earning them the title of back-to-back State champions.
With this said, two LHS alumni football players recently were mentioned in a shoutout video in the locker room of South Dakota State University after they both were recognized for their impressive performance on the field. Jack Smith, the 2023-2024 Gatorade Player of the Year as well as football captain at LHS, holds many records such as…
All-time record holder for career receptions, career receiving yards, career receiving touchdowns, single-game receptions, single-game receiving yards, single-game touchdowns, single-season receptions and single-season receiving yards.
Smith scored his first Division I touchdown as a Jackrabbit on Sept. 27, 2025. Luke Krempges, another key athlete from LHS, earned all-state recognition in both 2023 and 2024.
Krempges recorded his junior year of high school: 34 tackles with five tackles for loss and four sacks. He kept racking up those numbers and put up 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four sacks during his senior season, in which he also held the role as team captain and was chosen as an academic all-state honoree. Krempges earned his first minutes of Division I playing time and recorded his first sack as a true freshman against Mercyhurst.
Smith and Krempges’ Reflections:
Questions:
1. Do you think playing football at LHS helped get you ready for the jump to Division I?
2. How are you liking football at SDSU so far?
3. If you could go back, would you still choose SDSU, or do you think you’d do anything differently?
Luke Krempges (2025 Graduate):
1.” Yes! A lot of our coaches have experience in college football and know what it takes to play at that level, so I feel they trained and prepared me very well.”
2. “SDSU is great. It’s an honor to be here and it is a really good fit for me.”
3. “I would definitely pick SDSU again if I went back. This place is tight and the culture goes a long way here.”
Jack Smith (2024 Graduate):
1. “I think that playing football at LHS more than prepared me for college football. I think one reason why was because we had a more upbeat offense that was very detailed and specific. I also attribute my success to my coaches and teammates that were around me and pushed me everyday.”
2. “I am so blessed to be in the position I am in. Freshman year was a great year for me because I was able to travel and play in a couple of games. Now as a sophomore I recently started my first game so I am just super thankful for all of my experiences so far.”
3. “Going back I would still choose SDSU no matter what. Being at SDSU is a blessing because of the people you are surrounded by and the culture that you feel everyday. Also, It has always been a dream of mine to play at SDSU, so doing it for the little kid in me is what keeps me going.”
