High School football preview: Lakewood Lancers

“Ghostbusters” might have been the 1980s movie franchise that was revived this summer in theaters, but on the football field at Lakewood High School, it’s been “Back to the Future” for the last month.

That’s because the Lancers new football coach — their fourth in the last six years — is also their old football coach. Mike Christensen returns to the program after a decade away, as an on-campus physical education teacher and the head coach. Christensen coached Lakewood from 1998-2005. The team went 35-11 with runs in the CIF Southern Section playoffs every year. Compare that to the last three seasons when Lakewood was 15-17 and without a playoff win since 2010.

“We’re far behind,” said Christensen, who wasn’t hired until late June, with less than two months to prepare for the season. “The kids have had great attitudes for what they’ve been through with coaching changes. They’ve been great. But we’re behind on conditioning, on the weight room, on how to practice, on watching film. We’re kind of starting from scratch.”

He is starting with some great pieces, including a pair of defensive linemen he says are as good as any he has coached in a long time. Nakki Mitai and Tui Aono have hit the weight room and gotten bigger and faster and should be ready to wreak havoc on opponents. They’ll be clearing the way for returning All-Moore League ruing back Josh Cummings. Quarterback Taylor Dunlop is tall with a booming arm.

“Coach really tries to help us, we’ve been doing a lot more in practices, which we like,” said Mitai. “He wants things very organized. It’s been a big change.”

Lakewood’s numbers look great, with 100 kids across all three levels out at a recent practice after pads went on. Between the talent, the rapidly changing culture, and the rapidly expanding roster, Christensen is bullish about his team’s chances.

“Our expectation is a Moore League title. I’m just goa be honest with you,” he said. “My expectation going into every game is to win it.”

The Lancers will warm up with Leuzinger, La Serna, Los Alamitos, and Warren. All are quality programs that should give Christensen a good look at his new team, especially since he didn’t get much of a chance to get to know them before fall camp opened.

“The kids have been great,” he said. “They’re working hard. We’re excited to see what we can get done this year.”

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