Trending
LAKEVIEW -- The Lakeview football team will enter the 2026 season with plenty of familiar faces returning to the field, giving the Lakers a strong foundation to build on after finishing 6-4 in a competitive conference last season.
Head coach Scott Hanson is especially excited about the experience returning to his roster, with Logan Herrick, Blake Peltier and Chance Kosel among the players expected to play important roles this season.
"We have a lot of returners this season that saw lots of action last year," Hanson said. "This group has spent a lot of time in the weight room since the beginning of November, all throughout the winter and summer. We have a great core of players coming back and we are really excited about that."
While the Lakers return plenty of players with varsity experience, the roster does not have the large senior class that some teams rely on for leadership. Lakeview has just three seniors on this year’s team.
However, Hanson believes having so many players gain experience as sophomores and juniors could ultimately benefit the program.
"A lot of our players were playing as sophomores and juniors," Hanson said. "One of the things that is nice about that is the character and integrity of those kids is absolutely awesome right now."
That experience has also helped strengthen the family atmosphere within the program. Hanson said the way the players have embraced that environment has been one of the team’s biggest positives heading into the season.
Along with its returning core, Lakeview will have several players stepping into larger roles. One player Hanson believes could make an impact is junior linebacker Chase Bryant.
"Chase Bryant is going to be a guy to look out for," Hanson said. "I’m really excited to see what he does as a junior linebacker."
Bryant will be one of several players looking to make the most of an increased role as the Lakers attempt to build on last year’s 6-4 record.
Lakeview will once again have to navigate one of the state’s more competitive Class A sections. Hanson knows that playing against strong opponents throughout the season can be challenging, but it also provides an opportunity for the Lakers to improve every week.
"We understand we play in one of the best sections in the state of Minnesota in Class A," Hanson said. "If you come out of our section, you are probably going to have a good chance at doing very well at the state tournament."
With that level of competition, the Lakers will need to be able to respond when things do not go according to plan. Hanson said the team has emphasized having a "next play" mentality throughout the offseason.
"We just have to have the next play mentality, keep pushing forward to the next play," Hanson said. "We’ve spent a lot of time over summer talking about that, not dwelling on if something does not go your way."
With a strong group of returning players, plenty of younger players with varsity experience and a team-first culture, Lakeview will look to turn its experience into another successful season.
The Lakers know they will be tested throughout the year, but Hanson believes the combination of preparation, returning talent and the team’s mentality can give Lakeview an opportunity to make another postseason push.