Lakes Football's One Weakness is Non-League Schedule

As I reviewed the national high school football rankings, Lakes football fell into obscurity.

This worries me. But for the last four years, I watched the Lakes state, regional and national football rankings slide. Then, cautiously, sports reporters reluctantly anticipated a Lakes 3A championship. 

Why has this happened? It’s simple.

Every year, Lakes acquires and develops some of the best collegiate recruits in high school football. Every year, with one exception, Lakes football fails to capture a high school state championship.

Sports writers respect Lakes football, but they realize its one weakness: strength of schedule.

The South Puget Sound League 3A doesn't have enough talent to test Lakes. Over the past four seasons, Lakes has a 26-0 league, 9-1 non league record.

Then there's the Lancers' playoff record, 11-4.

Head Coach Dave Miller and Athletic Director Joe Keller endeavor to enlist challenging non-league opponents. They played Capital and Evergreen this season  during September and October. But they can’t seem to enlist non-league teams to challenge and enhance the Lancers’ regional and national reputation leading up to the bigger games.

Then again, who would want to play a coach with more than 33 years of coaching experience and a program that produces U.S. Army-All-American at a rate of 1 per season?

Perhaps, Bellevue, O'Dea or Skyline would relish the opportunity to challenge Lakes in a great non-league showdown. September games could be great tests for the Lancers. An October contest against a 4A team like Bellarmine Prep, Olympia or Woodinville  would pack the stands at a stadium. Lakes could also travel south on Interstate 5 to play an Oregon dynasty like Aloha, Grant, Jesuit, Lake Oswego or Sheldon. They might welcome an opportunity to play another Washington dynasty.

Lakes football produces and develops exceptional football student-athletes. It’s time to do the hard work and schedule the best non-league opponents throughout the high school football season.

To quote Jo Jo Rodriguez, Lakes Head Basketball coach and last year's state champion, "to be the best you’ve got to beat the best. We put together a tough schedule."