How's this for a high school football matchup? One of the most storied programs of all time against another nationally-relevant team in a California-versus-Florida showdown featuring two reigning state finalists.
That's what's happening on Friday as De La Salle makes its season debut against Lakeland (1-0), which opened 2025 with a 31-21 victory over Auburndale last week.
In 2024, De La Salle retook the Northern California throne with a 12-1 campaign and its 32nd consecutive CIF-North Coast Section championship. It went straight to the Open Division state finals for an automatic NorCal regional title before falling to national champion Mater Dei for its only defeat. Meanwhile, Lakeland went 13-1 and made the FHSAA 5A finals before taking its only loss to national contender St. Thomas Aquinas in blowout fashion. In MaxPreps' season-end national rankings, De La Salle finished at No. 22 and Lakeland at No. 49.
The Spartans are firmly planted back in the national picture after a dominant bounce-back season in 2024, and despite graduating most of their starters, 2025 could go similarly. Even some of their traditional in-state rivals will be rooting for them this week as they look to continue California's era of dominance over Florida's best teams. De La Salle is headlined by 3-star RBs Deuce Jones-Drew and Jaden Jefferson (North Carolina), 3-star two-way lineman Nemyah Telona (Cal), 3-star DB Jayden Nicholas (Montana), and LB Bubba Vargas, all of whom made The Sporting News All-NorCal preseason teams.
Like De La Salle, Lakeland graduated most of its players but it has more big-name college recruits on its 2025 roster than the Spartans. Top players to watch include 4-star DL Santana Harvey, 4-star LB Malik Morris (Florida), 4-star QB Joaquin Kavouklis (Arkansas), 3-star DB CJ Cresser (South Florida), 3-star RB Jadarius Dobie (Sacramento State), 3-star CB Jordan Young, and WR Zyuan Dukes.
Here’s everything you need to know about live streaming De La Salle vs. Lakeland.
How to watch De La Salle vs. Lakeland football
- Live Stream: Watch on MaxPreps
De La Salle vs. Lakeland will air live on MaxPreps as MaxPreps' Game of the Week.
De La Salle vs. Lakeland start time
- Date: Friday, Aug. 29
- Time: 7:30 p.m. PT
The opening kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 29. The game will be played at De La Salle High School in Concord.
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