Five Key Players
RB/S Cole Stephens (5’9″ 160, ’15) – Stephens is a heart and soul type player that the team really feeds off of. He plays at top speed every play, has a high football IQ and plays with an edge. Stephens has had a tremendous offseason, and could follow that up with a breakout year.
WR/CB Mayan Chavez (5’10” 150, ’16) – Chavez can absolutely fly. He will be a key offensive weapon, return kick and punts, and is also a key defensive back. Chavez has potential to be one of the best skill players to come out of Lakeside in some time.
TE/DL Erik Rottsolk (6’6″ 245, ’15) – Recently committed to Fordham University, Rottsolk will provide matchup issues for defenders because of his size. He gives Lakeside size on the defensive side of the ball, and is a very capable lineman.
OL/DL Billy Allocca (6’3″ 230, ’16) – Allocca is considered to be the anchor of the offensive line. He was a two-way starter for the Lions as a sophomore and is regarded as the strongest offensive lineman. He will also be the rock inside on the defensive line.
ATH/CB Bennett Dondoyano (5’11 165, ’17) – Much like Chavez, Dondoyano is a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball. He has the ability to be a lockdown corner defensively, while also being able to score anytime he has the ball in his hands offensively.
Overview
Casey Selfridge heads into year four at the helm of the Lakeside program, and you will not find many coaches that have done more with less. That’s not a knock on the quality of players, as much as the quantity, as Lakeside typically doesn’t have large numbers.
He has done a tremendous job rebuilding a once down-and-out program, and will have to do some of his best coaching this season, as the Lions return to a full Metro League schedule.
The Lions are loaded with athletes that can really move, but their biggest strength may be their offensive line. They return four starters from a year ago and do not start a single senior.
Cassius Lee-Pumphrey moves from center to tackle this year, and will be teamed with Billy Allocca to form a very tough left side of the line. Carter McKaughan and Hunter Grossman will man the right side, with Aaron Ballmer starting at center.
This may be the biggest offensive line during Selfridge’s tenure, as they average 6-feet-2 inches, and 226 pounds. Ballmer is the only member under six-foot and 200 pounds, and it’s not by much.
Stepping in at quarterback this season is Sam Schrader. He has seen time in the past, and finished last season as the starter when Adam Hinthorne was lost to an injury. Schrader knows the offense very well, and should guide the offense with ease.
Cole Stephens returns as the feature back in the offense, and should see a bulk of the carries. Behind the big-experienced line, Stephens could be prepared to have a breakout season.
There are plenty of offensive weapons to keep defenses guessing, led by junior Mayan Chavez. He is the type of player that coaches find ways to the ball.
Complementing Chavez are seniors Jack Betcher and Dylan Russian. Both athletes are more of the possession type, but should see plenty of one-on-one coverage. Adding depth are sophomores Zander Bailey and Bennett Dondoyano, who should see their fair share of playing time, with an eye to the future.
Tight end Erik Rottsolk is a converted basketball play, that is still very raw as a football player. His size alone is intimidating, and should help him get open this season.
Lakeside’s front seven has potential to be very tough. Most will play both ways, but they have speed and some toughness that will come in handy against the bigger teams. The defensive line is lead by Grossman, Rottsolk and Allocca, and adds junior David Strachan.
Much like the defensive line, the linebackers are for the most part two-way players. Betcher is a returning starter inside, and teams with Lee-Pumphrey to form a solid pairing. Bailey will see time at OLB and SS, and looks to be one of the more exciting defensive players in the future.
The strength of the defense is their team speed, and most of it comes from the secondary. Dondoyano and Chavez are both very good corners, while Schrader and Stephens man the safety spots.
The Bottom Line: Lakeside is going to have to stay healthy. Being short on depth they are going to have to get the best out of the athletes they have. At the end of the day, a return to Metro looks like it could end up in a berth in the round of 32.
Key Games
vs. Kings 9/12
@ Seattle Prep 10/10
vs Bishop Blanchet 10/18
