Bears and Lancers - Thursday - The Lancers
As we continue our preview of the big St. Joe Lakeshore game this Friday, let's look at the home team for Friday. The Lakeshore Lancers.
It's hard to argue with what the Lakeshore Lancers have done under Denny Dock. The Lakeshore football program may have officially started in 1957, but you could really say that "Lakeshore Football" didn't really start until 1988 when Denny Dock left Dowagiac and took over the coaching position at Lakeshore. Previous to his role at Lakeshore.
After three straight losing seasons where the Lancers had a combined record of 7-19 including a 1-8 record in 1987, Dock was brought in, and like St. Joe did recently with coach Uzelac, the Lancers had an immediate turn around.
The Lancers had their first winning record since 1987 and only thier second winning season since 1981. It would get better for Lakeshore as the 1989 season played out. Lakeshore went 7-2 and the final exclaimation on that season was the Lancers 17-14 win over arch rival St. Joe, whom the Lancers haven't beaten since 1979, of course they didn't play for five of those 10 years.
During the past 21 seasons Dock has been at the helm of the Lakeshore program, he has a combined record of 161-50 at Lakeshore, taken Lakeshore to their first playoff appearance in 1992, followed by playoff appearances in 1994 and then 10 consecutive appearances from 1998-2007. During Dock's tenure at Lakeshore, the Lancers have not had a losing season and have finished the regular season unbeaten 3 times (1992, 1994, and 2005). But most Lakeshore fans will remember the 17 game winning streak against St. Joseph from 1992-2006.
The Lancers also built the new Al Stockman Stadium in 1998 which many refer to as "The House that Dock Built." Which has become one of the top facilities in the region. Compared to the wooden bleachered Lancer Field. The Lancers also just added the Million Dollar artificial turf field named Kohn-Lehmann Field at Al Stockman Stadium.
Last season's Lancers finished a somewhat dissapointing 7-4, while the Lancers continued their streak of winning seasons and playoff berths, the Lancers saw the 17 game win streak against the Bears end with a 21-3 loss one year ago. The Lancers also lost to the Bears 49-14 to put an end to the Lancers 2007 season.
Going into the season, some questions surrounded the Lakeshore offense as only one starter remained from the previous team. There is an appropriate cliche' describing Lakeshore. "They don't rebuild... They Reload"
The one remaining starter QB Zak Wasserman has led the Lancers to a 5-0 record this season. With the help of slotback Coco Johnson and running back Adam Miller the Lancers have shown that their offensive questions leading into the season may have been erased.
The main part of the Lancer success so far this season has been the defense. The Lancers have only given up 28 ponts this season and two of those were on a safety. Lakeshore's stingy defense has already pitched three shutouts this season. Shutting out Coldwater 48-0, Jackson Lumen Christi 17-0, and Benton Harbor 41-0.
Special teams for the Lancers is also providing a spark as Coco Johnson tied a school record with a 99 yard kickoff return against Jackson Lumen Christi, plus the Lancers have one of the area's top placekickers in senior Kai Peng.
Recapping the season so far
August 28 - Lakeshore 48, Coldwater 0
at Al Stockman Stadium, Stevensville
Lakeshore jumped all over Coldwater, scoring 28 points in the first quarter en route to a 48-0 win. Lakeshore got two touchdowns from Coco Johnson and Zak Wasserman ran for 1 TD and threw for 2 more in the Lancers win.
September 6 - Lakeshore 17, Jackson Lumen Christi 0
at Withington Stadium, Jackson
Lakeshore's Coco Johnson ran the opening kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown in the Lancers 17-0 shutout victory at Jackson Lumen Christi, Johnson also scored on a 17 yard pass reception in the second quarter.
September 12 - Lakeshore 20, Battle Creek Lakeview 6
at Spartan Memorial Stadium, Battle Creek
Lakeshore’s Coco Johnson ran for an 86 yard touchdown and had a 35 yard touchdown reception as Lakeshore beat Battle Creek Lakeview 20-6. Kai Peng had two field goals for Lakeshore.
September 19 - Lakeshore 24, Portage Northern 22
at Al Stockman Stadium, Stevensville
Portage Northern rallied from a 24-2 deficit against Lakeshore, but the Huskies were unable to convert on a 2 point conversion with less than three minutes left to fall 24-22.
September 26 - Lakeshore 41, Benton Harbor 0
at Al Stockman Stadium, Stevensville
Quarterback Zak Wasserman ran for three touchdowns and passed for another as Lakeshore improved to 5-0 with a 41-0 win over Benton Harbor.
