Written by: Brandon Baney
Lakeland’s football team rode the rollercoaster in 2023. A 3-0 start was followed by a four-game losing streak. Standing at 3-4, Lakeland rallied and won their final two regular season contests, before falling on the road to Twin Falls in the opening round of the playoffs, 28-12.
After the dust had settled, an injury-ravaged Hawks team had finished right at .500 (5-5 overall). At one point in the season, Lakeland was relying upon its third string running back and its third string quarterback.
You might think that with a little better injury luck in 2024, Lakeland could easily ascend to a higher level. That might be true, but third-year head coach Mike Schroeder also felt the need to make some tweaks to the overall scheme.
“We’ve got a new offensive system with a new Offensive Coordinator,” says Schroeder. “We are emphasizing more balance on offense this year. Our passing game must improve.”
Tony Porter takes the reins as the new Offensive Coordinator. The Lakeland offense will revolve around senior quarterback Hayden Benson and senior running back Lovie Weil. Senior Clive Hobbs will also line up in the backfield at fullback, and Jace Taylor and Peyton Hillman will line up at wide receiver.
The offensive line will be led by seniors Carter Vanek and Levi Pallas.
Bolstering the Lakeland defense is a familiar face. Longtime head coach Tim Kiefer, who retired three seasons ago, is back on the Lakeland sidelines, this time as the new Defensive Coordinator.
“Our focus defensively is on alignment and the movement of our players,” says Schroeder. “We should be more physical across the board, and we’re hoping our secondary play is more consistent.”
Vanek and Pallas will play up front on the defensive line. Senior Terry Davis will lead the linebackers, along with Hobbs and Hillman. Taylor will anchor the secondary.
Lakeland figures to battle with Sandpoint once again for supremacy atop the 5A Inland Empire League standings. A new wrinkle in the 5A IEL is Lewiston, which dropped down a level due to lower-than-expected enrollment numbers.
Regardless, Schroeder believes 2024 could be the year that Lakeland finally takes a massive leap forward.
“Our team culture has improved. We have more committed players that have bought in,” Schroeder concludes. “We finally may be where we need to be physically and our offseason program will finally be seen.”