In late May, the Lakewood Board of Education made the surprising decision not to rehire 15-year head coach L.J. Clark following a 3-7 season. The Piners opened the year with back-to-back wins over J.P. Stevens and Keyport before dropping seven straight games. They ended the season on a positive note, however, edging Freehold Boro by one point in the finale.

Cliff Orwick was hired as Clark’s successor, giving the Lakewood program a fresh start. Along with the change in leadership, the Piners will have plenty of new faces on the field with only five returning starters. Lakewood will compete in Class C South alongside Freehold Boro, Keansburg, Keyport, New Egypt, and Point Beach.

Offense

The Piners return two starters from an offense that averaged 22.2 points per game last season, rushed for 2,558 yards and passed for 377 yards.

Junior Carlito Anderson (5-8, 150) takes over as the starting quarterback after throwing for 191 yards in part-time duty last season.

The Piners’ biggest loss to graduation was Zion Jones, who rushed for 1,396 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Junior Jahkir Brooks (5-7, 155) will step into the lead role in the backfield after rushing for 247 yards and four touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-Class C South honors. Junior Jayson Wallace (5-10, 170) will also be in the mix for carries.

Junior Tyreese Jones (5-9, 160) returns at wide receiver after leading the Piners with 13 receptions for 274 yards last season. Junior Kahseem Diawara (5-9, 170) will also start at wideout after catching five passes for 36 yards a year ago, while junior Anwar Tucker and freshman Josiah Simpson will also be in the mix on the outside.

Junior Joel Hernandez (5-11, 255) returns to anchor the offensive line at center, while senior Gio Salazar is back to start at guard. Senior Jaime Morales (5-6, 225) and juniors Jack Lopez-Martinez and Shauneil Foster (5-10, 200) round out the projected starting unit up front.

Senior Jefferson Mencia will handle the placekicking and punting duties.

Defense

The Piners return two starters from a defense that allowed 35.2 points per game last season.

Hernandez, Salazar, Lopez-Martinez, Morales, and Foster will all factor into the defensive line, either as starters or key members of the rotation.

Wallace returns as the field general at middle linebacker, taking responsibility for lining up the defense. Brooks, Mencia, and others will round out the linebacking corps.

Diawara returns as a starter at cornerback, while Jones, Anderson, Tucker, Simpson, and senior Rias Sanchez (5-11, 160) are all expected to either start or see significant time in the secondary.

Lakewood at a glance 

Head coach: Cliff Orwick, 1st season

Career record: 0-0

2025 record: 3-7

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: 4-3 Under

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Nico Steriti

OL/DL: Jay Graham

Special Teams Coordinator/OL/DL: Greg Solla

WR/DB: Kevin Popek

Player Personnel: Tim Brown

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 19 vs Keansburg

The Piners suffered a heartbreaking 43-42 overtime loss to the Titans last season. Turning the tables with a win in the first half of the season could provide an important early boost and help Lakewood build momentum.

Newcomer to Watch: Josiah Simpson, Fr., WR/QB/DB

Simpson will have an opportunity to start or contribute at both wide receiver and defensive back while also serving as the projected backup quarterback, giving the freshman significant responsibilities on both sides of the ball.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/29	Atlantic Tech
9/3	at Barnegat
9/12	Keyport
9/19	Keansburg
9/25	at New Egypt
10/2	at Pinelands
10/10	Freehold Boro
10/17	Asbury Park
10/23	at Point Beach