Epic Showdown: De La Salle Spartans Face Lakeland Dreadnaughts Tonight!

Epic Showdown: De La Salle Spartans Face Lakeland Dreadnaughts Tonight!

This evening, all eyes are on Concord, California, where the De La Salle Spartans are going head-to-head with the Lakeland Dreadnaughts from Florida in a much-anticipated high school football showdown. The match is set to kick off at 10:15 p.m. EST (7:15 p.m. PST), and fans are buzzing with excitement for what promises to be a thrilling contest between these two storied programs. The Spartans, having a long-standing reputation in California high school football, hold the record for the longest winning streak in the sport’s history, at a staggering 151 games from 1992 to 2004, as reported by Yahoo Sports.

As the game approaches, it’s fascinating to see how De La Salle prepares to regain its former glory. Despite an impressive history with 17 state titles, the Spartans have not clinched a championship since 2015, a dry spell that breaks a tradition of winning at least one title every six years from 1984. Head coach Justin Alumbaugh is keen to foster a process-oriented team mentality, focusing on execution rather than dwelling on past glories during practice sessions, as detailed by Palm Beach Post.

Battle of the Rankings

In terms of performance leading into this game, Lakeland comes in hot. They kicked off the 2025 season with a solid 31-21 win against the Auburndale Bloodhounds, boasting an impressive last season record of 13-1 in Florida’s FHSAA Class 5A. While Lakeland has won three state titles since De La Salle’s last championship, contributing to their total of nine state titles, they currently hold a national ranking at No. 50. In contrast, the Spartans are ranked No. 28 nationally, showing the comparative strength of both teams heading into this encounter.

• De La Salle: 17 state titles, ranked No. 28 nationally
• Lakeland: 9 state titles, ranked No. 50 nationally

For both sides, the stakes are high. The historical context adds an even richer layer to this face-off. The last time these two teams met was in 2009, where Lakeland took the victory, and it seems the Dreadnaughts are keen to extend their record against a program that has been resilient through its ups and downs.

Talented Players on Display

On the field, fans will be looking out for standout performances from key players. De La Salle’s running back Duece Jones-Drew has caught the attention of several colleges and will be a crucial component of the Spartans‘ offense, especially considering the team’s rebuilding phase after losing several key players to graduation. The new starting quarterback, Brayden Knight, comes into this game with valuable experience gleaned from the previous season.

Lakeland, under the guidance of head coach Marvin Frazier, also has its share of emerging talent. One of their notable players is Jadarius Dobie, whose performance could be pivotal. Additionally, the Dreadnaughts are using this matchup to spotlight their young stars, making the game not just a contest of skill, but a showcase for the future of high school football.

How to Watch

For those who can’t make it to the game, it will be available to watch live on the NFHS Network, with no traditional television broadcast scheduled. Fans can tune in via smart devices like Apple TV and Roku, or check it out through the NFHS website. This platform is known for covering not only football but also a range of school events, making it an excellent resource for high school sports aficionados everywhere, as noted in another report by Yahoo Sports.