Submitted photo The 2024 Lakeview football team consists of (front row, left to right), Jared Gregoire, Dakota Cowell, Ryder Torke, Landon Albertson, Tyden Marczak, Dylan Caron, Jace Danielson, Colton Schlenner, (second row) Braylon Breyfogle, Joshua Potts, Wade Hansen, Garrett Schafer, Landon Teske, Dustin Schlenner, Landyn Listul, Jordan Olsen, Jackson Staab, Cody Helmke, Kaiden Pringle, (third row) Logan Herrick, Blake Peltier, Jake Robinson, Gavin Manning, Karson Nelson (fourth row), Teagan Neuman, Hunter Fry, Conner Moseng, Trevor Varpness, Chance Kosel, Arlyn Shermon, Jared Bot, Brian Sego, Jaxon Hartke, Taedan Smith, Soren Louwagie and Tucker Anderson. The team is coached by Scott Hanson (middle back row) and assistants Erik Lundberg, Tom Yahnka, David Loe, Russell Murphy and Colton Andrea.

COTTONWOOD — In response to a single-win 2023 campaign, the Lakers will look to return Lakeview back to being a winning team with key returning players and a now more experienced roster, compared to last year. 

Lakeview struggled last season, finishing with a record of 1-8. Their lone victory came in the season opener, and they were unable to regain their momentum throughout the rest of the year. In opposite fashion, the Lakers were 9-2 in 2022, second-ranked and the Section 5A tournament runners-up to Minneota. 

Head coach Scott Hanson, going into his fifth season coaching Lakeview, said this year’s roster is coming in with more varsity time under their belt. 

“We had a lot of players that had their first varsity experience last year. We have eight seniors this year and we have 10 juniors, and all of those kids played varsity football,” Hanson said. “So we have 18 upperclassmen coming back who had time as juniors and sophomores and who studied varsity football last year. So, we’re excited about the kids that are returning.” 

There are also three major statistic leaders returning. Senior quarterback Tyden Marczak led the Lakers last season in passing, junior Garrett Schafer led in rushing yards and junior Braylon Breyfogle led in receiving. 

Marczak will again be the starting quarterback. He threw 58 complete passes, 659 yards and three touchdowns last year. He was the third-leading rusher, gaining 208 yards on the ground. 

“[Marczak] gained a lot of experience last year, and he’s worked hard in the weight room,” Hanson said. “He’s put time into throwing the ball this summer, and we expect big things out of him to lead our team, and to really be a coach on the field for us.”

Marczak has already begun to step into his leadership role over the summer in training camp. The coaching staff has been working with him to set the tone for the season. 

“It’s exciting to see Tyler Marczak really step up and take ownership of leading our team, and as long as he’s poised and that he’s in control, he’s going to have a great season,” Hanson said. “That’s what we’ve been working with him on, is just keeping that good poise in control, enjoy himself out there and have fun, and we’ll have a good season.” 

Schafer rushed for 377 yards on 108 carries, and Breyfogle received for 240 yards in 20 catches. 

Junior lineman Jackson Staab and senior lineman Colton Schlenner are two others Hanson is looking at as leaders, especially on the defensive side. 

Schlenner last season had 64 tackles, 25 solo and 39 assisted. Schafer had 72 tackles, behind team leader Tucker Fiene with 120 who had graduated. Stabb led rushing behind Schafer, going for 325 yards on 62 carries. 

“Jackson Staab will be a defensive tackle for us, and then Colton Schlenner is a senior linebacker, so we really look for those two to lead the defense,” Hanson said. “Colton will call the defense for us, he’s kind of like the quarterback of the defense. He gets the signals from the sideline, calls the defense.” 

With now transitioning from a young roster to more experience, Hanson wants to focus back on perfecting the fundamentals of the game. 

“There are just so many little things that you have to do day in and day out to get better at, and we feel this team, grades nine through 12, has really trusted that process.

We really get back to our fundamentals and our basics,” Hanson said. “We just focus on one game at a time, one week at a time, one day at a time … The process is doing all the little things.” 

Hanson doesn’t want last year’s record to define the present and future talent of the Lakers team. 

“We didn’t have a very good win-loss record last year as a football team. We were competitive in half of our games, and we want to change that to be competitive in every game this year,” Hanson said. “Experience is going to be on our side this year, and the biggest thing is just that will to compete and that will to win, and that ‘never quit’ mantra.” 

Hanson also mentioned he is feeling confident in his front lineman, as everyone has grown stronger over the year due to dedicated time in the weight room. 

Lakeview only has one injury to start the season, with junior lineman Cody Helmke rehabbing from a high ankle sprain that occurred earlier this summer. He is expected to be back in a couple of weeks. 

The Lakers’ first game will be hosting St. James on Friday at 7 p.m., who they defeated last season in the first game 13-0. 

“[We] have an opportunity to have a winning season, and get to the section championship,” Hanson said. “I mean, we have a tough section, and everybody’s goal is to get to the section championship. Everyone’s playing for that opportunity, and why not it be us.”