Lakeland will face strong opposition this fall, with a challenging slate that includes three-time defending state champion Somers at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24.
“We have a very tough schedule in Class A North,” said fourth-year Lakeland head coach Ryan Shilling, who’s in his ninth year overall coaching in the program. “Our goal is to compete every week against some of the top teams in New York state.”
Shilling said that “it says a lot” that his team is willing to accept the challenge of such a schedule.
“We only have 25-26 players on the roster, but the players who do play put a ton of work in throughout the offseason so they can compete against the best of New York state,” Shilling said. “While it’s challenging, it’s what you want as a coach and a player.”
Lakeland opens the season at home vs. Clarkstown South at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5.
“We have to compete in practice, control the controllables on the field and do the little things right in all three phases of the game,” said Shilling, when asked how his team can get the season off on the right foot.
Looking to help the Hornets start on the right foot is returning starter on the offensive and defensive lines, senior Kyle Ronk (6-foot-3, 290 pounds, OT/DT), who was All-League in 2024.
“Kyle is a really good athlete for his size,” Shilling said. “This is his fourth year starting. He has a ton of experience. [He] is a really smart football player who will be a leader for us.”
Ronk is the first Hornet to be named a captain for this season.
“Kyle has had a really good career for us,” Shilling said. “He needs to demonstrate leadership by the way he practices on a daily basis. The rest of the line is inexperienced, so he has a lot of responsibility in helping to get them ready.”
Joe LaPeruta (senior, 5-9, 165) is the Hornets’ starting quarterback after starting the last couple of games a year ago at the position. He finished with 3 touchdown passes and 1 rushing touchdown.
“He passed and rushed for over 100 yards each in his last start vs. Clarkstown North,” Shilling said. “He’s a dual-threat quarterback who has made huge strides as a passer this offseason.”
Other returning starters include Anthony D’Errico (senior, 5-9, 165, WR/DB) and Anthony Ray (junior, 5-10, 160, WR/DB), who both had more than 200 receiving yards last season and have had good offseasons.
Mike Zumatto (junior, 5-8, 180, RB/LB) is another returning starter on both sides of the ball who is a very versatile player. Shilling said returning senior Ben Franco (6-foot, 180, WR/LB) had a tremendous offseason and should have a breakout season.
Highlighting the schedule for the Hornets are two rivalry games at home, against crosstown rival Yorktown at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and sister school Walter Panas at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7.
While fans may have those two games circled in red ink, Shilling said players and coaches don’t have that luxury.
“All 10 games we have are equally important,” said Shilling, whose team was 2-8 a year ago. “The most important game of the season is always the upcoming game. Both Yorktown and Panas will be fun and very challenging games, but we are focused exclusively on us during the week of double sessions, and then Clarkstown South once the Monday of game week comes.”
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