Lakewood opens the 2019 football season tonight at home against Camarillo, and new head coach Scott Meyer knows his Lancers are in for a challenge. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Camarillo has eight returning three-year varsity starters from a team that went 11-2 last year and reached the Division 4 semifinals. The Lakewood defense will need to slow down the Scorpions offense with quarterback James McNamara and running back Jesse Valenzuela returning. Last year, McNamara threw for almost 2,500 yards and 32 touchdowns, while Valenzuela ran for 1,032 yards (8.3 YPC) and 13 touchdowns.
Lakewood senior captain and middle linebacker Raymond Masoe said his team will be ready because of Meyer and his new coaching staff.
“He’s a great coach,” Masoe said. “We’re really excited to see what he has planned for us. So far it’s been smooth. We’re getting a lot better coaching.”
Masoe also noted that this season is one that he and the Lancers take very seriously after missing the playoffs in each of the last two years and breaking the 15-year postseason streak for the program.
“We take it personally,” Masoe said. “Not too long ago we were up there, so we’re trying to get Lakewood back to where it should be.”
