Coach Thadd MacNeal and the Lakewood Lancers have one goal on the mind in 2009. “We’re trying to win a championship.” And he’s not just talking about the Moore League crown.
It seems like local high school football fans have been talking about/waiting for this Lancer team since the middle of last season. Lakewood has the important pieces needed for another deep playoff run, but first things first is a mantra for MacNeal and his coaching staff.
“It’s fun to have people talking about us and putting us in those pre-season polls… but we haven’t won anything yet. I mean, we haven’t even beat Poly… we just keep saying: ‘humble and hungry.’”
If the Lakewood offense had its own moniker, it would probably be comfortable and confident. With USC-bound quarterback Jesse Scroggins at the helm, MacNeal and the offensive coaches can throw some wrinkles into those classic Lakewood pass plays. Scroggins knows the offense so well after almost three full years with the starting job that it’s like having another coach on the field. During the passing league tournaments this summer, some of the conversations between MacNeal and Scroggins were reduced to nodding and pointing because they were seeing the exact same thing.
Scroggins will be seeing a lot of receivers Kevin Anderson and Chris Davis if the Lancers want to be successful. Anderson is getting some Division I looks because of his hands and deep threat ability, while Davis made a living last year working against the grain with receiver slip screens and shovel passes. But none of that will work without a reliable running back.
The Lancers will have to fill a hole in the backfield, but the coaches think they have three or four backs ready to step up. Knowing this group, they all might see time in the pre-season, but that’s not even the biggest question mark for this uber-talented team.
In the off-season four defensive starters from last year inked Division I scholarships and they will have to be replaced. However, a true sign of how talented this team is, two more D-I talents are ready to take the challenge. Notre Dame-bound Justin Utupo and USC-bound Dion Bailey will lead the line and secondary, respectively, but what makes the Red Swarm so good is in the name. They just swarm, every play, and that takes more than two captains.
With all this expectation and anticipation, the spotlight will indeed be bright. But that’s what happens when you make a run to the CIF semi-final. Not really a bad thing, but they will have a target on their back, and one slip in the 2009 Moore League could mean big trouble.
Lakewood Lancers 2009 Schedule (Games at 7pm unless noted)
Week Zero: September 4th
@ Crenshaw
Week One: September 11th
Vs. Palos Verdes Penninsula
Week Two: September 18th
@ Mayfair
Week Three: September 25th
Bye
Week Four: October 2nd
Vs. Compton
Week Five: October 9th
@ Poly
Week Six: October 16th
@ Cabrillo
Week Seven: October 23th
Vs. Jordan
Week Eight: October 30th
Vs. Millikan
Week Nine: November 6th
Bye
Week Ten: November 13th
@ Wilson
Schedule Analysis
Other than Crenshaw in the opener, the Lakewood schedule is, well, light. And it could get a lot lighter. The week three opponent pulled out of the game too late to find a replacement and Mayfair could have a down year. Added to the fact that Palos Verdes Penninsula might have a more pressing issue to attend to (turn on your TV) and you have only one real test before Moore League play starts. And it’s not a smooth transition into the most important part of the Fall, either. The Lancers will see Compton, Poly and Jordan within the first four weeks of play, all before their bye week. Big Red would also be mistaken to overlook the other Big Red, Wilson, in the season finale. If the Bruins are as good as some coaches think they’ll be, that game could have major playoff implications.
Five Players To Watch:
Jesse Scroggins, QB, senior #15
Everyone knows he’s going to be a Trojan next season, but this season could be the one to remember. Coming off a 2,462yd, 23 TD performance in ‘08, Scroggins has the tools to improve on a stellar 93.1 QB rating. If you were to see the senior gunslinger at practice you might wonder where the 6’2” 190lb quarterback is from last year. Scroggins grew an inch this summer and is tipping the scales at 202lbs after literally locking himself in the weight room. As with any talented QB, it will be easy for Scroggins to try and do too much, but MacNeal wants him to stay within the offense that thrives on layered crossing routs and precision passing.
Justin Utupo, DL , junior #8
Named as a senior captain this season, Utupo will need to be a force in the offensive backfield, as well as at the line containing the run. The point being: he can’t just be one. Utupo has the most experience on the D-line, and you know other teams will be running the ball in order to keep Scroggins and the offense on the sideline. Last year, Utupo racked up 70 tackles (5.4pg) and six sacks, three of which came in the playoffs.
Ally Long, RB/DB, junior #26
The 5’10” 190lb running back isn’t going to sneak up on anyone this year. He stepped up as a sophomore and had great games against Crenshaw and Mayfair. Now with the running back position open, Long has the inside track to a starting spot when you add in his receiving ability. Against Mission Viejo in the playoffs Long caught a lofted touch pass for 12 yards and a first down on a very important Lakewood drive. He could specialize in those drive extenders, but don’t be surprised if he mixes in a few game breakers.
Oliver Robertson, OL, senior #74
What can you really say about a 5’11” 280lb tank with a, “motor like no other,” according to coach MacNeal? A returning starter and new offensive line captain, Robertson will be the anchor for another huge Lancer front line. Again, we have to bring up the fact that these kids are very comfortable and familiar with the playbook. So what more can you do with a talented, smart group of hogs?
Dion Bailey/Brennan Kelley, DB’s, seniors #20 & #28
These two are the biggest key to the Lancer defensive success. Yes, Utupo and stopping the run is imperative, but just imagine what that offense could do with a few turnovers a game. Bailey finished last year with 72 tackles and nine interceptions. While speaking to LBPostSports and Scout.com at a passing league game, he was boasting that he can bench 285lbs, has a 37-inch vertical jump, and can, “cover the whole field. I move around and when the ball is in the air, it’s mine.”