Lakewood 2026 Season Preview

<p><em><strong>Not a subscriber? Promo code Helms30 will get you 30% off your first billing cycle. Coaches, make sure we have all the necessary information to preview your team. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeB9YBH_he_sOP-lhvI26XRh0P9vobS8PsVJy_5QCJ4jQLTvQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=118251332469799088451">Fill out our preseason survey</a>. </strong></em></p>   <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/07/3-things-ive-learned-during-preview-season/">Preview season</a> rolls on here at Prep Redzone, and we're looking at at least one team every day. The Lakewood Leopards have built a strong core and are looking to take the next step in 2A. An intriguing team with plenty of top-end talent, what can the Leopards do in 2026?</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakewood Leopards Season Preview</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Info</h3>   <p><strong>Head Coach: </strong>Travis Elliott</p>   <p><strong>2025 Record:</strong> 6-5 (Lost 20-14 in first round of 2A playoffs)</p>   <p><strong>2026 Conference:</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/06/predicting-every-carolina-1a-2a-teams-mvp/">Carolina 1A/2A</a></p>   <p><strong>Returning Starters (Offense)</strong>: 8</p>   <p><strong>Returning Starters (Defense)</strong>: 9</p>   <p><strong>Key Games: </strong>vs. Midway (9/4), @ North Duplin (9/18), @ Hobbton (10/23)</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Key Storyline</h3>   <p>This is a strong, experienced Lakewood senior class. In fact, the team graduated only a couple of contributors last season. The rest of the team is made up of rising juniors and seniors. </p>   <p>While the Leopards won't lose all of their production after this season, it's the final year for last year's leading rusher, leading receiver, and two leading tacklers. The Leopards weren't far off last season, falling just short against Hobbton twice. Conference favorites East Bladen also introduce a dozen or so new starters this season, including almost its entire defense, so this feels like Lakewood's best chance to make a run.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Potential Stars</h3>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lacewell, in my estimation, is a future Division I athlete, either at linebacker or running back. In terms of raw production, he actually took a slight step back last year, running for 800 yards on 162 carries after reaching the 900- and 1,000-yard marks in his first two seasons, respectively. I expect him to have a massive senior year on both sides of the ball, and if he does so, the Leopards should challenge for a conference title.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Kerr isn't the biggest guy, but he's a major piece of a veteran defense, returning in 2026 after leading the Leopards in tackling last year. He seems always to put himself around the ball. Kerr flashed in pass coverage last year, and his return is crucial.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Owens is Lakewood's big-play threat outside, and that keeps boxes lighter and safeties deeper. He's a talented track athlete who finished fourth in the state in long jumping. He averaged nearly 20 yards per catch last season and could be in for an even bigger year. He also averaged an absurd 14 yards per rush, scoring three times on 16 carries.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Williams has all the tools needed to be a high-level tackle for Lakewood, and now that he has a full season as a starter under his belt, he should be a weapon on the line. He improved his technique over the course of the season, and just a rising junior, he looks like a top offensive lineman in the area.</p>    <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Biggest Losses</h3>   <p><strong>Reed Ammons</strong> | QB/DB - A two-way player, Ammons was a starting safety and a backup quarterback. He's also a standout baseball player, and he transferred to Swansboro this offseason, likely to focus on that sport. At quarterback, that probably helps simplify things, with <strong>Burroughs Strickland</strong> taking full command of the offense after splitting time last year.</p>   <p><strong>Devin Jones</strong> | OL - Lakewood really doesn't lose much from last year's team, but will have to replace guard Devin Jones. The rest of the offense and almost all of the defense remains largely the same.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Breakout Candidates</h3>   <p><em>Without many departures, there aren't many opportunities for true breakouts, but these guys could step into larger roles.</em></p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Strickland flashed a big arm last year while splitting time with an outgoing transfer. Now, the offense is fully his, and the tall, lean pocket passer could see an uptick in passing volume. He threw for 650 yards and six touchdowns last season, and I wouldn't be surprised to see those numbers jump during his junior year.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Smith doesn't grab many headlines behind Lacewell, but he's a talented, multifaceted running back. He averaged seven yards per carry and was second on the team in receiving last year. He's a bigger back than you'd expect and is a guy who you could argue could probably use a few more carries this season.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Overall, Lakewood doesn't have much size on its roster, but Drake is one of a handful of exceptions. A two-way guy, he plays both right guard and defensive tackle, providing ample size and strength at each of those positions. He's a mauler in the running game and a guy I need to get a better look at this fall.</p>    <p><strong>Other Potential Breakouts:</strong></p>   <p><strong>Jon Graham</strong> | 2028 | WR/DB</p>   <p><strong>Nijal McCrae</strong> | 2028 | WR/DB</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lakewood's 2026 Outlook</h2>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Team Strengths</h3>   <p>Lakewood is one of the most experienced teams in the state, losing no more than one starter from any one unit. The linebackers are all experienced, and the defense returns nine of 10 leading tacklers last season. The Leopards went 6-5 last season in a "down" season for its superstar, and was a handful of plays away from a much deeper playoff run.</p>   <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Question Marks</h3>   <p>While the experience is there, Lakewood isn't the deepest team you'll find, even amongst its 2A peers. That's fine, as long as the Leopards can stay healthy, but the margin for error is slim, and even one or two injuries or down years could limit their upside.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Verdict</h2>   <p>I don't see a huge gap between Lakewood and the top teams in the area. The Leopards lost just two games by more than 13 points last season, one in the non-conference to a strong 4A team and the other to conference champion East Bladen.</p>   <p>East Bladen lost plenty of production from last year's team, so I'd be shocked if Lakewood doesn't close the gap. An early-September matchup with Midway will tell me about Lakewood's potential, as the Leopards will be tested in the trenches in that one.</p>   <p>Personally, I see this Lakewood team being closer to the 2023 and 2024 teams that won 10 games than last year's 6-5 team, and the Leopards are candidates for positive regression based simply on good, old-fashioned development.</p>   <p><em>A huge thanks to Lakewood head coach Travis Elliott for sharing his prospect sheet and thoughts on his team.</em></p>

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