The562’s coverage of football in 2024-25 is sponsored by The Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
It’s safe to say the Lakewood football team is fired up. The Lancer’s have high expectations for themselves and are ready to put last year’s first-round playoff loss behind them as they gear up for their 2024 home-opener against Carlsbad on Friday at 7 pm.
“It definitely left a bitter taste in our mouths because we felt like we underachieved,” said Lakewood fourth-year coach Justin Utupo of the first round loss. “We can’t let the moment get too big for us. We’ve got to take it one play at a time, one (practice) rep at a time. I think (this team) understands what it takes to be dialed in and focused for those big time moments.”
For Utupo, Friday night also serves as a reunion with his high school coach Thadd Macneal. Macneal coached Utupo at Lakewood and has been coaching at Carlsbad since 2011. The two will cross paths for the first time since Utupo graduated in 2010.
Lakewood has exciting talent coming back in four star tight end Caleb Tafua alongside quarterback Kade Casillas and running back Nytrell Miller. St. Anthony transfer Jojo Apisala will also be at running back where Utupo and new offensive coordinator Tavaka Tuioti will look to establish the run game early on.
“[We’re focused on getting] positive yards on first down,” said Utupo. “Last season we struggled on first down. This offseason we have focused on starting fast and being more efficient and effective on first down.”
Carlsbad comes into their season-opener coming off of a 10-1 season and a first place finish in the Avocado league. They averaged more than 38 points a game and took their only loss in overtime of the first round of the open division CIF San Diego Section championship bracket.
However, the Carlsbad offense should look much different than it did a year ago without five star quarterback Julian Sayin, who is undergoing his freshman season at Ohio State University. This year at QB it’ll be junior Eli Macneal, son of coach Thadd Macneal, who’ll debut the new Carlsbad offense on Friday night at Lakewood in the season opener.
“Our red swarm defense is up for the challenge. Carlsbad has a high powered offense with a balanced attack. We need to be locked in on their different personnel groups and align to their multiple formations.”
