We tell you everything you need to know about the 2022 Lakewood football team in this preview. We take a look at roster changes and what fans can expect from the team this season.

2021 Stats

• Overall Record: 10-3
• Points Scored: 370
• Points Allowed: 233

Key Losses

The 2022 Lakewood offense is tasked with replacing its top four receivers – Amari Niblack, Terrell Crosby, Diezel Spann, and Lutarus Adams – who combined for nearly 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. Zyon Jerger was a key name in the Spartans’ running game, while Crosby was also a significant part of the Lakewood defense as he collected 10 interceptions.

Elsewhere on the Spartans’ defense, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is a key loss in the Lakewood secondary, as is leading tackler Camari Berry. Lakewood has to replace three more key defenders in Jaden Shorter, Pharee Reed, and Mike Evans, each of whom totaled more than 70 tackles a year ago, while Jordan-Matthew Davis has also moved on.

Who’s Back

The Spartans return one of the state’s top quarterbacks in Anthony Colandrea, a rising senior who threw for 3,252 yards with 27 touchdowns a year ago. The Spartans’ leading rusher in 2022, Montravius Lloyd also returns, while the Lakewood receiver group again features names such as Aviyon Smith-Mack, Solomon Lowery Jr, and Camarri Alexander.

The biggest name returning on the Lakewood defense is Isaiah Nixon, a standout pass rusher who ranked among the Spartans’ leaders in sacks a year ago alongside the aforementioned Lloyd, Taveon Wheeler, and Rashard Hartwell. Elsewhere on the Lakewood defense, Jeremy Willoughby, Johnathan Zilton and Samorion Lang are key returnees, and Kardell Brown is another name to know.

What to Expect

After reaching the Class 4A semifinals a year ago, Lakewood is tasked with replacing numerous key names from that team, most notably at wide receiver. While the sheer amount of production lost could be cause for concern, the Spartans shouldn’t skip a beat offensively with one of the state’s top quarterbacks leading the way.

The Spartans should be considered one of the top teams in 2M-Region 2 entering the season and are poised for a return to the playoffs.

Prediction

Lakewood will win 10 games in 2022, reaching at least a regional final.

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