EDWARDSVILLE — Caleb Dixon, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound offensive and defensive lineman for Metro-East Lutheran's football team, sees his Knights loaded with talent and the right attitude to build on last year's 7-3 season. The Knights are already 3-0 in 2026 and host Meridian at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. Meridian is 4-0 overall going into the matchup.
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Dixon, who recorded 19 tackles, including four solo stops, and one sack for seven yards last season, is entering his senior year after helping Metro-East Lutheran reach the Illinois 8-Man Football Association playoffs. The Knights lost 39-20 at St. Anne in the first round.
“We have always had a smaller team, but it’s a great group of guys, and there is plenty of talent to make an impressive season this year," he said. "Last year, the seniors were great, but this year, I think we have a lot of potential as we move ahead in the season."
Dixon said teamwork will be central to the Knights’ hopes in conference play.
“The key, I think, is that we just need to learn how to work as a team,” Dixon said, “because it’s a team sport. Everybody just needs to come in, have a good attitude, and play their game, because if we play selfishly, then we’re not going to go anywhere. But this is, again, a great group of guys, and I think we can do something special.”
After reaching the playoffs last season, Dixon said he has higher goals for Metro-East Lutheran.
“I know we fell short of going 9-0 last year,” Dixon said, “so it would be really exciting to do that. And again, we haven’t won a playoff game in my time here. We’ve come up short the last two years, so I really look forward to making the playoffs and winning.”
Dixon also said he is looking forward to matchups against teams Metro-East Lutheran lost to last season.
“Yeah, I’m really excited about it,” he said. “I’m excited to play the teams we lost to last year, because I think they think it was a fluke, that we’re just going to be a pushover. But I don’t think they’re ready for what we’ve got.”
Dixon said he also has individual goals, but wants his senior season to have a broader impact on the program.
“I’d say a goal I’m trying to set for myself is trying to make All-State,” Dixon said. “But more importantly, I just want to leave a legacy here for these players that are below me, and the freshmen coming in, because I'd like to see the success continue.”
