The quote, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog" could easily apply to Mt. Vernon High School (IN) standout Keagan LaBelle.
At 5-feet-8-inches and 175-pounds, LaBelle may not immediately strike fear into the hearts of opposing teams, but all that changed when he got the ball in his hands or locked down opposing receivers while helping guide the Marauders to a Class 4A state championship in Indiana and an unblemished record.
Through 15 games, LaBelle rushed for 1,594 yards and 26 touchdowns, while adding three more trips to the end zone as a receiver for the 2021 season. Defensively, LaBelle notched 107 tackles and 11 tackles for loss, leaving a legacy that will carry for years at Mt. Vernon, as he will be remembered for the way he played the game.
"My style of play is definitely hard nosed football. I like to hit people. I play hard and fast. On offense, I am fast enough to run past the defense to score and I can also run through tackles, which helped me with a lot of my success on offense. On defense, I can play multiple positions like defensive back and linebacker. My speed and toughness in the middle of the field at linebacker helped the team know that they have someone who can make big plays in the middle of the field. I can also guard people in the open field if needed," he told HSR.
And, while some may be surprised with his efforts, LaBelle is far from it as he has always quitted doubters on the field since he first stepped on a football field.
"I got into football at a very young age. I started off playing flag football. The year after flag football, I started tackle and I played up in the older league. I’ve always loved watching football with my family and friends which pushed me to want to play as I got older. Things I enjoy about the game of football is definitely the brotherhood and competition that comes along with it. I love being with my friends on the field every Friday night witch makes football so much more fun. Also the competition is great I’m always trying to be the best player I can be when I am on the field, and my teammates also helped me accomplish being the best me on the field by pushing me everyday in the weight room and on the field," LaBelle said.
That push for success carried LaBelle through the entire season, as he played a huge role in Mt. Vernon going 15-0 and defeating Northridge 45-12 in the state championship. In the win, LaBelle found the end zone twice and rushed for 76 yards on 11 carries.
"Winning a state championship is the greatest feeling a high school football player could have. You are with all of your friends and you know that you just accomplished something that many other high school players will never get to do. It feels amazing to know that you are the best team in the state. I definitely had my concerns at the beginning of the year because we had a lot of starting seniors from the year before leave for collage witch made your mind wonder if we were going to be good or not. But I had full confidence in my teammates and the coaches that we could make a big run in the tournament and win a state championship," LaBelle said.
And, while some are shocked by the numbers he put up, he is not.
"I wouldn’t say that I am surprised by my success at all. The amount of work I put in with my teammates in the offseason and in summer workouts is unmatched. In my opinion, me and my teammates are one of the hardest working people you could ever meet. That is why I am not surprised with my success because I worked so hard to get where I am today. I attribute my success to coaches because they pushed me to get stronger everyday to get faster everyday and that is what made me the great player that I am today. Also my teammates. I wouldn’t want to have any other teammates than the ones I had this year," LaBelle said.
However, there is one problem for the Mt. Vernon standout -- for all his work, talent and success on the gridiron, his size has been his downfall when it comes to recruiting, as he is still waiting on an offer despite several talks with colleges.
"Recruiting is definitely rough because of my height and weight I’m not the collage football build that people are looking for being at 5’8 175lbs . I have the stats and work ethic to play at the next level which I would like to do. It really just depends on who gives me a chance. I am currently talking to schools like Marion, Indianan Wesleyan, Butler, and DePauw. So, hopefully, in the near future, someone will take a chance on me because I will give them everything I have to be the best player on the field," LaBelle said.
And his message to coaches seeking a "hard nosed" player?
"If you give me a chance, I will make the most of it and you will not be disappointed. If I have to play special teams for a few years to earn my spot on offense or defense then I will do it. I can also promise that I will be the hardest working person in the weight room or on the field," LaBelle said.
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