Coaches: Fred Gambrell (head coach), Christopher Collodel (offensive line), Ricky Holloway (linebacker), Rhema McKnight (receiver), Oscar Montecinos (offensive coordinator), Chris Perrales (special teams coordinator)

Top Returning Players: McAnthony De Castro (11), Tate Garcia (12), Austin Knight (12), Kruz Sandle (12), Pierrce Sandle (12), George Shelledy (12), Elias Vorathavorn (12)

Top Newcomers: Stone Burgess (11), Zachary Castillo (11), Mikael Khan (12), Cameron Parrales (12), Joshua Stewart (12)

Last Season: With a new head coach and fresh starters, the football team competed in the inaugural Lambda League and went 2-3. Overall, the Lancers finished 2-8 last season, beating Valencia High School (33-3) and Fullerton Union High School [FUHS] (14-6). The team placed fourth in the league and was one game away from advancing to CIF-SS playoffs last season. 

Outlook: Gambrell said the team plans to push through the season by encouraging each other not to give up. He said that the players continue to work on staying focused and being attentive to details given to them during the season to improve their chances of winning. He said their motto for the season is simple: fight. 

It’s more than just a word for Gambrell — it’s the mentality he has been fostering in his players since last year as they prepare for the challenges ahead. 

“Just fight,” Gambrell said. “Just keep fighting no matter what happens, and just keep getting after your goals.”

Pierrce Sandle said he’s taken Gambrell’s words to heart. 

“I think having that fighter mentality means not only are you not going to give up, but you’re also going to fight for your brothers and teammates alongside you,” co-captain Pierrce Sandle said. “This really motivates me on the field because when I see my teammates willing to fight and grind for four quarters fully padded, it makes me want to do the same.”

The head coach said he plans to implement new strategies this season while keeping the tactics that worked last year. 

“Offensively, we are still going to run the ball because we have two really good running backs and offensive line,” Gambrell said. “We will do a little more play-action where we fake the run and throw the pass.”

For Shelledy, he said that the upcoming season is an opportunity for the team to show progression and set a higher standard.

“After the losses last season, I want to perform better as a team this year,” the running back said. “Obviously, I definitely want to win the league and hopefully make a playoff run this year, and even go to the championship and win.”

However, Gambrell said he has goals of his own.

“I want to play together, be consistent and fight,” the head coach said.

To reach these goals, Gambrell said the team put in a lot of work during practice.

“We worked in the weight room, conditioned, got better by being faster and stronger,” he said. “Trying to gain more knowledge on the game as well as focusing on our individual skills are ways we have been practicing.”

The head coach said his approach to preparing players for game day is similar to getting ready for a test.

“One way we practice is by watching film practice so that when Friday nights come, we know what’s coming at us, which is a big part of the preparation,” he said. “It’s like studying for a test because if you go into one without studying for it, you’re going to fail.”

Because of the preparation, Gambrell said he has confidence in his team.

“The grind of starting in November and constantly going from there prepared their bodies physically and mentally,” he said. “It emotionally prepares them for the season so that once it starts, it’s a breeze and easy for them.”

Along with physical preparation, the Lancers have also worked on building chemistry and leadership.

“This year’s team is definitely starting to click since we’re all still trying to find our role on this team, which makes it more open for people to step up,” Piercre Sandle said. “Seeing who can lead gives us an opportunity to talk to each other and build the chemistry as a complete team and not just as individual leaders.”

The head coach said he allowed the team to choose its own captains this year.

“I wanted to see what they would do and if it’s a popularity contest or if they actually, truly understand what being a captain and a leader means,” Gambrell said. “The coaches and I already have a good idea about who we think [the captains] should be, and the kids always end up picking the right guys.”

Pierrce Sandle said he looks forward to working with the others and feels like he has proved himself worthy of this position.

“I think I was selected as captain because the team and the coaches see how hard I’m working to make the whole program better by helping the younger guys and leading by example,” he said. “I would love to lead this team to a deep playoff run and a league championship.”

In terms of rival opponents, Gambrell said he plans to cautiously approach each team.

“It’s one game at a time and just focusing on that opponent,” he said. “I don’t look at it so much as like who is who.”

However, Shelledy said he hopes to take a win specifically over FUHS this season.

“A lot of our old coaches quit to coach at Fullerton, so I know they’re going to try and take us down — but we won’t let that happen,” he said.

Gambrell said the team’s main mantra remains: faith over fear. The head coach said that he hopes his players can follow the saying “to serve and not to be served.”

 “We are keeping that humble mentality, but also just working hard, persevering and doing the best we can,” Gambrell said.

The Lancers’ most recent game was against the Raiders (3-2) at La Habra High School Stadium on Friday, Sept. 19. They won 34-20.

Their first league game will be against Marina High School at Westminster High School Football Field on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m.