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The562’s football coverage for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
Before the season began, Lakewood coach Mario Morales knew the Lancers wouldn’t have an easy road ahead. Lakewood’s preseason schedule featured a mix of tough local and out-of-area opponents, giving the team an early test as it prepares for a more competitive league schedule and the playoffs.
That competitive schedule continues Friday when the Lancers host Torrance in a battle of two teams that were in the CIF Southern Section division 5 playoffs last season. The Tartars’ were the No. 1 seed in the bracket a year ago after an undefeated regular season, but fell in the first round.
Lakewood (2-2) enters the game on a high note after defeating Mayfair 24-17 last week to retain the Milk Bucket trophy. The biggest improvement for the Lancers has been the offensive output the last two weeks as the team averaged 24 points and has shown what it can do in the passing and rushing game.
Senior Aidan Kautsky has been efficient with nearly 400 yards passing and three scores as the team split its last two games and senior Thales Nguyen broke loose for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the Lancers’ win over Mayfair.
Torrance (2-2) heads to Lakewood following a 21-19 loss to Cypress last week. The Tartars have been led by senior quarterback Gibson Turner who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards after four games with an efficient 3-to-1 touchdown to interception ratio.
Turner has spread the ball around to his senior-heavy receiving core as Isaac Mora, Ashton Bradley and Brandon Perez have 10 or more catches on the year. Mora leads the team with 27 receptions and 374 yards, while Bradley leads the team with three touchdowns.
In the backfield, the Lancers will need to account for Vaughn Reinert, who has done a bit of everything for the Tartars following his junior season where he was the Pioneer League MVP.
Reinert has 276 yards rushing and two touchdowns this season and has been featured in the passing game with 12 catches for 197 yards.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at John Ford Stadium.
