The Spring Lake football program is building off of a lot of momentum, coming off of back-to-back playoff appearances.
The Lakers are now putting in a lot of work this fall, hoping for a season and hoping to make it a step further.
"We made the playoffs for the second year in a row which was exciting for us," head coach Dan Start said, "I thought we were building and doing really well at the end of the year. That kind of led us into this offseason, I'm really excited about how things are going to look this year."
And the players are hoping to bring home the program's first district championship since 2000.
"This year, I really want to take the next step," senior Sam Sheridan added, "make it to the next step and to the second round of the playoffs. I'd like to win a district and maybe have more of an improved record, because we've been steady at 5-4."
As head coach Dan Start gets set for his fourth season with the program, expectations are high. The Lakers were young last fall and return 15 potential starters.
"We've got a ton of skill and good senior leadership," Start said, "the one thing we're lacking a bit is experience in the skill positions. But, we also have a ton of talent in the skill positions like we haven't had in the past."
The Lakers are led by several three-year varsity starters, including fullback and safety, Steve Ready.
"We have a lot of dudes returning on defense," Ready said, "we have eight of our eleven returning, so we're an experienced group. A lot of juniors, but they all have good experience."
And of course, the questions remain about fall football this season, but the Lakers are remaining optimistic.
"My hope, and what we've been hoping for, is we get to play this fall," said Start, "we hope these seniors have a great senior year. We have a lot of seniors that have worked their tails off for three years now."
And the players continue to take nothing for granted.
"They say you don't know how much you love something until it's taken away," added Ready, "and it looks like it could be a possibility. It's really good motivation to be like, 'wow, I'm really grateful to be here.'"
The Lakers will open up with Orchard View in week one.
