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Lakeland Football Team Hopes That Speed Will Kill

A returning starting quarterback, strength at the offensive skill positions and more depth on defense could help the Eagles improve on a 5-4 season.

Lakeland's varsity football team this year plans to play fast—on both offense and defense. The coaching staff and its players believe that a successful implementation of a quick tempo may be the difference in a few wins. 

That could get the Eagles the extra win or wins they need to qualify for the playoffs, nab a divisional title or more. Lakeland is coming off a 5-4 season where it gave up too many points and didn’t have enough big plays on offense. 

Look for that to change this season. 

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The Eagles will have the benefit of a returning starting quarterback in senior Casey Palanca, who will lead a strong offensive attack. With an experienced offensive line and plenty of skill-position talent, the seven returning offensive starters should provide an early season lift while the defense gains confidence.  

Palanca threw for nearly 950 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

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“We expect good things out of Casey, and that does give us an advantage that a lot of teams don’t have,” said Lakeland head coach John Maltese. “But he can’t do it alone, and we have some good talent around us.” 

Palanca himself admits to being more comfortable as the starting quarterback this year. He knows what to expect now with nine games of varsity experience under his belt. 

“My role is to run the offense as fast as I can,” Palanca said. “Our success starts with the offensive line, and we need them to be in sync. That gives me more time to make decisions.” 

The Eagles under Maltese and his experienced coaching staff have built a strong program, and this year the team will need to rely on senior leaders to achieve its goals, Maltese said. He added that this year his team is wearing T-shirts that say “The Tradition Continues,” stressing the need for the Eagles to get back to the playoffs. “Our seniors understand what it takes to get to the level where we need to be.” 

Among Lakeland’s strengths are a deep core of skill-position players. Supporting Palanca as part of the dynamic wing-T offense are fullback Josh Orlando, who rushed for nearly 480 yards in 2010. Wide receivers/running backs Chuck Sanders and Anthony White are explosive juniors who could pose a nightmare for opposing cornerbacks and linebackers with a combination of size and speed. Split end Shane Lyons will also be the kicker and punter.

“Those guys (Sanders and White) really developed at the end of last year, and we have good competition for our split end position,” Maltese said. 

The offensive line will be anchored by guards Zach Fedorko and Michael Sullivan and 245-pound sophomore tackle Ryan Kelly.

Defensively, the Eagles plan to make improvements to not only get stronger at the point of attack but schematically to play a faster tempo, Maltese said. 

“We plan to bring 11 guys to the ball on every play,” said Lakeland co-captain and defensive leader Bobby Schumaker, who will move from cornerback to safety this season. “This preseason we have been flying around the field really trying to cause havoc, and that’s what we are going to do once the season starts. It’s been a hard-hitting and grinding approach.” 

That style of defense will require the Eagle players to read and react without overpursuing opposing ball carriers, receivers or quarterbacks. Schumaker also sees more depth on the squad on both sides of the ball. 

Orlando will be a leader at the linebacker position, and Austin Bills will anchor the defensive line. Bills had 21 tackles and four sacks a year ago.

“There’s increased competition and intensity,” Schumaker said. “We’re looking at guys competing for starting spots at many positions. I think we will be able to play a lot of guys on both sides of the ball, especially defense.” 

Maltese agrees that Lakeland’s depth will help it this year. 

“We are understanding our schemes a bit better at the start of this year,” he said. 

The lively practices have generally been crisper at the start of this season, and Palanca said the team has come together no matter what grade level they may be in. 

“There aren’t different (cliques) now and we are do things together and are on the same page,” Palanca said. 

The WLAA North will be a challenge for Lakeland, with three strong teams in Walled Lake Northern, Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Western all challengers for a divisional title. Central advanced all the way to the state semifinals last year. Even the two Waterford schools, Kettering and Mott, are also expected to be more competitive.

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