Key Players
QB Jaiave Magalei (6’2, 205, ’16) – Magalei is a difference-maker at the quarterback spot. If he hadn’t gone down with a concussion last season, we could very well be talking about him as one of the top returning signal-callers in the state. As it is, he’s all potential right now. He’s a good leader with a command of the offense and he can get out and hurt teams with his legs if necessary although he’s very good at distributing the ball as well.
LB Cale Lindsey (6’2, 220, ’17) – Lindsey is the “quarterback of the defense” and will likely garner lots of attention from college coaches over the next 18 months. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s physical at the point-of-attack and he has outstanding instincts.
LB/H-Back Maika Magalei (6’2, 220, ’16) – Magalei definitely passes the look test and the Lakes coaches feel this will be the year he lives up to his immense potential. Magalei can run really well and he’s a punishing tackler. He could be one of the sleeper recruits from the state this coming fall.
DT/OL Maxwell Nauer (6’1, 255, ’16) – Nauer will be counted on the handle the nose tackle spot along Lakes’ 4-3 front. He’s quick and strong and he does a good job of clogging the middle, allowing his teammates to run free and make plays.
OL/DL Jo-Bentley Keilani (6’3, 290, ’16) – Keilani had a great offseason and he’s expected to be a dominating force along the defensive and offensive line for Lakes this fall. Last season, Keilani only went one way, but this fall, he’s in much better shape and the coaches think he will wind up with some scholarship offers before it’s all said and done
Overview
The past few seasons, Lakes has been a talented team that has struggled with consistency and some key injuries.
Head coach Dave Miller thinks the 2015 version of the Lancers is ready to put the program back on the map and that they have a chance to make some noise in the 3A classification this season.
The performance and health of senior quarterback Jaiave Magalei (6’2, 205) will go a long way in determining how far the Lancers can go this fall. He’s got a very good arm, he can run and make plays with his feet and he’s a very good leader. Last season, Magalei missed most of the season with a concussion, but he’s back and ready to lead the Lakes offense this fall.
When he drops back to pass, Magalei will have a diverse group of receivers at his disposal including his brother, senior H-Back Maika Magalei (6’2, 220) and senior Chris Hunter (6’3, 215) at one of the receiver spots and juniors Dedrian Milligan (6’1, 18) and Zarrion Hill (6’2, 175) rotating in as well.
In the backfield, the Lancers feature the legit 4.4 speed of junior Mel Miller (5’9, 170) and hard-running of senior Yisreal Stephens (5’10, 180).
Along the offensive line, seniors Jo-Bentley Keilani (6’3, 290) and Jayson Fatur (6’3, 275) anchor what could be one of the better offensive lines in the state.
Defensively, the Lancers are led by first-year defensive coordinator Hillary Butler, a Lakes alum, who brings with him an attacking style that allows his players to play fast and free.
Along what promises to be one of the biggest defensive lines in the state, Keilani will be at one spot while senior Maxwell Nauer (6’1, 255) will hold down the nose.
Keep an eye on senior Kenny Fua, a 6’5, 300-pounder, who the Lakes coaches think could be a breakout star this fall.
Junior Cale Lindsey (6’2, 220) should have a huge season from his middle linebacker spot while fellow junior Xavier Banner (6’0, 212) and senior Elijah McMillon (5’10, 210) will be on the outside.
Stephens and senior Armani Daye (5’11, 150) will handle corner duties while Miller will hold down one of the safety spots.
The Bottom Line: Lakes never lacks for talent, but they have been inconsistent and injury-prone the past few seasons. If they can keep Magalei healthy and play fast and tough on defense, they could be a real contender for deep run into the state playoffs.
Key Games
Vs. Peninsula (9/25)
Vs. Auburn Mountainview (10/9)
@ Sumner (10/16)
Yeah, the strength of schedule was brutal in 2012 and 2013 season, but notice Lakes was in the 2012 and 2013 playoffs. If not for injuries to key players, Lakes would have played in the WIAA 3A High School Football Playoffs in the Tacoma Dome both years.
Last season, 2014, again key players got hurt and the 2s and coaches did their best to sync, but they couldn't generate the consistency needed to be a playoff team. Still Lakes just missed the playoffs.
This year, there's a buzz on the field, in social media, within the 1s and 2s. This year, several Lakes football alumni (Hillary Butler, Sione Potoa'e, Ma'ne Maneae) have raised the performance expectations of the current Lakes Lancers (LLs) and if several 1s go down to injury the 2s will perform at the highest level … this year, it's a given!
This season, every LLs is waitin' for an opportunity to play "Big Boy" Football!
Once A Lancer, Always A Lancer