TThe 2024 Lakeland Regional High School football season was thrilling and filled with ups and downs. However, the team fought hard together to reach their goals throughout the entire year. With a record of 4-6, this season taught the Lancer’s how to stick together and keep pushing.

Beginning of Season
The Lancer’s started their season out strong with a 35-9 win over Governor Livingston. They had another high scoring third game against Jefferson with a win of 50-28. In the middle of the season, the Lancer’s faced some setbacks. Senior Vincent D’Orilia told the Lancer Ledger, “We had a few guys that were banged up during the middle of the season.” These challenges brought two devastating losses to the Lancers against school rivals, West Milford and Ramsey. These games were both very close, the difference in points either being one touchdown, or even just one point. D’Orilia said, “Both of those games were very important of the playoffs. It was very demoralizing but we were able to push through it.” These setbacks only made the team stronger, senior captain Brody McCormack claimed, “As a team the next week we had to stick together and continue to work hard.”

Vernon Game
The Lancers faced Vernon for their second to last game of the regular season. Coming off of their two game loss streak, the Lancers hoped to end it with Vernon, who they hadn’t beaten in the past two years. The score remained close the entire game, especially towards the end when Vernon was up 13-14 with just a minute left to play. Senior quarterback Collin Sabric stepped up to the challenge and threw a 69 yard pass to senior Aidan Thacker to score the winning touchdown.

Sabric, who scored three touchdowns that game, told the Lancer Ledger that it was the game that stuck out to him the most. D’Orilia described the win as a “much needed weight lifted off our shoulders and gave us new life for the rest of the season.” Overall it seems like this game was one that was important to not just the players but also the coaches. Coach Jared Luciani claims, “The game that stuck out to me the most this year was Vernon. It was a game that we needed to win to make the playoffs. It was a back and forth battle that we never stopped fighting in and found a way to win.”

Playoff Game
The Lancers were surprised when they found out that they made the playoffs. The North Jersey, Group Two, Section One bracket showed that they would play the first seed, Westwood. Although the Lancers lost 36-14, the team still felt accomplished by making the playoffs in the first place. D’Orilia stated that making the playoffs was “the goal that we worked so hard for over the summer.” He also stated, “It was really great to see all of our hard work pay off.”

The Future
The future seems bright for next season’s team. McCormack claims, “A bunch of the guys are going to put in the work in the weightroom and on the field throughout the off season.” With many senior varsity starters graduating, lots of opportunity opens up for the younger players of the team.

Both Coach Ryan McCarney and Coach Luciani seem excited to see what the next season holds for them. Coach McCarney says, “Next season we will see a lot of new faces on the field. The coaching staff is excited to see who takes advantage of the opportunity, who out works who in the offseason. Regardless of who’s on the field, we will be a physical, disciplined football team.”

Although the Lancers faced a few challenges, their achievements don’t go unnoticed. The team set goals for themselves this season and worked hard to achieve them.

Senior Jeremy O’Hernandez described the end of the season with the statement: “It marked the end of what we all have been working so hard for. It really hit me that I wouldn’t be able to play with my family again.”