It took two years of rebuilding, but Lakeland returned to a championship level last season.

Now, a group of athletes who were key playmakers in the revival is returning and aiming to keep the Chiefs in contention.

Junior Jackson Pochas, an All-Region defensive back and two-way LFC Division II all-star, will lead the Chiefs as they attempt to defend their District 2 Class 2A title.

Pochas had a team-high 47 receptions for 757 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, he had 42 tackles, one interception, and yielded only three receptions.

“Obviously, we had a great season last year, but we lost some talented players,” Pochas said. “We had a lot of young guys who played a lot last year, so they are ready to make big contributions.”

Lakeland has to replace LFC Division II Offensive Player of the Year David Naniewicz, who was a Class 2A all-state selection.

Rocco Spataro will take over as signal-caller. Last season, he completed 16 of 24 passes for 243 yards, and had 10 catches for 177 yards at wide receiver.

“Playing behind David last year taught me a lot,” Spataro said. “We will run the same offense. I have to produce and contribute to team wins. We have to spread the ball around and use all 53.5 yards of the field and make plays.”

Spataro has two starting receivers returning in Chase Rosenkrans and Luke McFarland.

Rosenkrans, an All-Region pick, had 41 receptions for 652 yards and nine touchdowns. He ranks second in program history with 126 career catches behind Chris Washko’s 136. McFarland had nine receptions for 126 yards as a sophomore.

Lakeland returns four of five starters on the offensive line. Cole Hastings is in his fourth season at tackle, and Austin Tuttle enters his third year at guard. Cole Loomis was an LFC Division II first-team all-star, and Dylan Loomis was a first-team all-star at tackle but will also contribute at tight end.

Juniors Ben Gross and Ben Supeck, sophomore Jake Warholic and freshman Brody Muehleisen will add depth up front.

Seven starters from the defense are back, including Pochas.

Dylan Loomis, who is emerging as a college prospect, played both defensive end and linebacker as a sophomore. He had 58 tackles and four fumble recoveries. Hastings had 34 tackles, with six for loss.

Nathan Boyarsky contributed 29 tackles with two sacks, and McFarland had 23 tackles and two tackles for loss at linebacker.

Joining Pochas in the secondary, Spataro had 42 tackles and two sacks, and Rosenkrans grabbed five interceptions and had 33 tackles.

“Just being out there, I gained so much experience,” Pochas said. “I have to go out there and work to make big plays.”

Juniors Evan Lonzinski (LB) and Jacob Passiment (DB), sophomore Adam Bertocki (DB) and freshman Cal Horan (DB) will contribute on defense.

“We are looking toward the season,” Spataro said. “After a great season last year, a lot of the young guys, like in my grade, played and are ready to make big jumps into the starting lineup. We are looking to have a good season. We have to stay healthy and play fast.”

FAST FACTS

■ Head coach: David Piwowarczyk (8th season, 47-29)

■ Division: LFC II

■ Last season: 11-2 overall; 5-0 (First in LFC II)

■ Male enrollment: 191; Class 2A

■ Home field: Lakeland Stadium

CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

■ Overall record: 450-256-5

■ District 2: (Class 3A) 2020; (Class 2A) 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2022, 2025; (Class 1A) 1994.

■ LFC: (Division II) 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2022, 2025; (Division III) 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.

■ NEPFC III North: 2000, 2001.

■ Big 11: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1987.

■ Suburban Conference: 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979.

■ Eastern Conference: (Class A) 1987; (Class B) 1972, 1975, 1976, 1977; (Class 1A) 1996.

SCHEDULE

Aug. 28: Holy Cross (1A), 7 p.m.

Sept. 4: at Lake-Lehman (3A), 7

Sept. 11: Lackawanna Trail (1A), 7

Sept. 19: at Susquehanna (2A), 1

Sept. 25: Carbondale Area (4A), 7

Oct. 2: at Riverside (2A), 7

Oct. 9: Honesdale (4A), 7

Oct. 16: Mid Valley (3A), 7

Oct. 23: at Western Wayne (3A), 7

Oct. 30: at Dunmore (2A), 7