PIGSKIN PREVIEW 2022: Windermere Prep

The Windermere Prep Lakers are looking forward to the start of the 2022-23 season.

“We are going to be who we are, and we are going to do what we do, not worry about who we are playing or anything else,” head football coach Brian Simmons said. “(We are going to) let our actions dictate the scoreboard — and not let the scoreboard dictate our actions.”

The team has been preparing with a strength-and-conditioning program that will allow them to work on their strength prior to the arrival of the first game of the season.

“For me, first and foremost, based off of last year, we’ve got to find a way to put in the necessary work to get better but also find a way for our kids to stay fresh and … healthy,” Simmons said. 

One of the main goals for the Lakers is to work on their mental toughness on and off the field and concentrate on their performance through the duration of the season as they prepare to face some familiar opponents.

“We can’t dictate how good they are going to be or how well they are going to play on a given Friday; all we can do is dictate how we approach things … and be ready to overcome adversity and prepare for every single opponent,” Simmons said. 

Some key players to watch this season are Jackson Bennett, Ben Heath, Khamari James, Mason Williams and Tyler Simmons, as the team is looking up to them to be team leaders on and off the field.

When it comes to changes in coaching staff, the team has lost a couple of coaches, but there has been no additions, as Simmons said he would rather keep his coaching staff small, but effective.