Lake City Middle School: Lakers
Lake City Middle School is preparing for the 2024 football season.
The Lakers are looking for a successful season in their second year under Coach Brandon Duncan.
Last year was a disappointment as Lake City battled a lack of depth, inexperience and injuries.
“We have high expectations and we’re excited,” Duncan said. “I had high expectations last year, but we found out really quick that we had to put the work in.”
Following the 2023 campaign, the Lakers took a small break. But when they returned for spring practice, Duncan noticed that his team’s attitude and work ethic had changed.
“We’ve been working all summer, and the kids have been working really hard,” said Duncan, who played football for the Lakers. “In spring ball, we really noticed a change. Kids were a lot more focused.”
“We had a spring game and we played against LaFollette and we won that game, and I think we won 24-6, or something like that.”
Lake City played in Class AAA last season. The Lakers, however, have moved to Class AA for the 2024 season.
“We dropped a division this year,” Duncan said. “We’re going to play Double-A this year and Oneida will be our big challenge.”
Lake City has always had a changing football landscape.
“We’ve had good years and we’ve had bad years,” Duncan said.
“Sometimes, LaFollette and Jacksboro weren’t very good and sometimes, it was easier to play in Triple-A, than it was in Double-A.”
This season, the Lakers opened summer workouts with 32 players, including 15 eighth- graders.
“We have good depth, and half of our kids are eighth-graders,” Duncan said, “We also have leadership.
“Last year, we only had 20 players,” he said. “Our strengths are our work ethic and our good depth. Our main area of concern is how we deal with adversity.”
Top returners for the Lakers, according to Duncan, include: Jayden Nolan (eighth grade, running back/linebacker); Chevy Burris (eighth grade, running back/linebacker); Collyn Taylor (eighth grader, offensive lineman/defensive end); Austin Baden (seventh grade, wide receiver/cornerback); Landon Wade (offensive lineman/defensive end); Waylon King (eighth grade, offensive lineman/middle linebacker) and Tyson Powers (seventh grade, quarterback).
Duncan said that he has some talented sixth graders who may contribute. Key newcomers include eighth grader Cayson Knight (wide receiver/linebacker) and sixth grader Isaiah Wilson, a free safety).
Lake City has a scrimmage slated for Aug. 5, when it will host Harriman at 7 p.m.
The Lakers will also host a jamboree on Aug. 10, before opening the regular season on Aug. 13 against The King’s Academy.
