Lakeland, Fla. -- At Lakeland High School, winning a state championship isn’t just a goal; it’s an expectation.

“Everybody wants to run the state,” said senior cornerback Cormani McClain. “That’s what everyone comes here for, to win state and go all the way.”

Every time the 7-time state champion Dreadnaughts step onto the field at Bryant Stadium, players can see the rich tradition they’re trying to live up to.

“I bring my kids out here and they can see we won in 2005 and 2006 so I always tell these guys, what is your legacy and what are you going to leave,” said Ahmad Black, a former Lakeland standout and All-American at Florida who is in his first year as the Dreadnaughts’ defensive back coach.  

This season, the Dreadnaughts have more stars than the night sky. Thanks to the addition of some big name transfers, Lakeland has more than a dozen players rated three stars or higher, including several blue chip prospects, the most heralded being Cormani McClain. The Lake Gibson transfer is a 5-star recruit and considered the No. 1 cornerback in the country.

“Cormani just brings an extra element, something you can’t teach,” said Black. “He works hard, gives his best every day. He’s long, can change direction really well, ultimately turn his head and play the ball really, really fast.”

Now entering his 47th season at Lakeland, legendary head coach Bill Castle likes what he’s seen thus far from his team in preseason, especially the defense.

“On defense, I feel good because we’ve got a lot of depth in our secondary, at linebacker and our defensive line. There will be some guys rotating in because we’ve got a lot of guys equal in competition.”

Offensively, Lakeland is loaded at the skill positions. They return two of their top three rushers from a year ago, including 3-star prospect D’Marius Rucker, and all of their receivers, a group that consists of 4-star stud Tyler Williams and 3-star recruit Daidren Zipperer.

One position the Dreadnaughts will have a new starter is quarterback. Senior Zachary Pleuss joined the squad after spending the past three years at Ridge Community.

“Zach is really good, he’s done a great job,” said Castle. “He has great football knowledge, anticipation on his throws, gets the ball out quick. I’m excited about him.”

“It’s going really well, the guys are fully committed,” said Pluess, who threw for 2,156 yards with 21 touchdowns to 9 interceptions last season. “So every day if I ask them to stay, we’re staying after, meeting on Saturdays to get chemistry down and that’s what it takes to win state championships.”

Lakeland is far from a finished product, but if they can put it all together, they’ve got as good a shot as any team to win a state title this season.