Caden Cuozzo remembered the celebration after winning the District 2 Class 2A championship as a freshman member of the Lakeland varsity team in 2022.

He and his fellow senior teammates wanted to relive that moment. It served as their motivation three seasons – and some harsh adversity – later.

Last week, during a steady and at times heavy rainfall, Cuozzo and the Chiefs earned their coveted title with a 27-7 win over rival Dunmore. Now, Lakeland (11-1) travels to face District 12 champion Lansdale Catholic (10-2) in the first round of the PIAA playoffs Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Germantown Super Site .

“I was really motivated knowing it is my last year,” Cuozzo said. “This is something that we all worked very hard for. David (Naniewicz), Gavin (Roberts), I, and all the seniors wanted to have this amazing final season.”

Lakeland dominated during that 2022 run to the state playoffs. But that team had a wealth of experienced senior starters who graduated. That created openings in the next two seasons, but many of the players who filled those vacancies were still getting their feet wet and were mostly underclassmen.

The Chiefs finished 1-9 in 2023 and 3-8 in 2024. Last season, Lakeland endured an avalanche of injuries to key players.

After losing to Riverside in the District 2 Class 2A semifinals, the players started the work necessary to return the program to glory.

“As freshmen, we were on that 2022 team, then when we became sophomores and juniors, we went through a lot of adversity,” Cuozzo said. “We realized just how hard that 2022 team worked, and that was how we had to be in the offseason.”

Cuozzo had 14 total tackles and ran for 88 yards on eight carries as a freshman, and the following season, he finished second on the team in rushing with 296 yards and four touchdowns.

Last season, he contributed 323 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and six receptions for 60 yards. On defense, Cuozzo had 27 total tackles.

“Those seasons we did not have the outcomes that we wanted as a team,” Cuozzo said. “Fighting through the tough times helped us to work toward being the team that we wanted to be this year.”

Cuozzo, the 6-foot, 190-pounder, has been a force on defense. He teams with Dylan Loomis to form the heart of the Chiefs’ defense as the middle linebackers.

In the season opener, Cuozzo had nine tackles, had eight against Wyoming Area, and had seven each in wins over Riverside, Susquehanna, and West Scranton. He also had fumble recoveries against Holy Cross and Susquehanna.

Offensively, he and Roberts both play tailback. Cuozzo has been explosive and ran for 82 yards with a 54-yard touchdown against Riverside, 52 yards against Honesdale, and had a 47-yard touchdown run in a District 2 Class 2A playoff win over Holy Redeemer.

Last week in the District 2 Class 2A final, Cuozzo had his best game defensively, when he racked up 11 tackles.

“From the start, we felt that we had a shot,” Cuozzo said. “We felt we had something special and wanted to see how far we could take this.

“Winning the district championship was a full-circle moment. From being a freshman and winning a championship to this, it’s awesome. We were very motivated. That was one of the goals, and I couldn’t believe it.”

Lakeland will need an inspired effort against Lansdale Catholic. The Crusaders have an impressive roster of talent. Quarterback Yeboa Cobbold Jr. is committed to Akron, linebacker Russell Holmes Jr. is headed to Robert Morris, and offensive lineman Terrance Smith is a four-star recruit who has more than 15 NCAA Division I scholarship offers.

“The biggest thing for us is that we have to play our game,” Cuozzo said. “We have to stay calm and be composed, and we will be fine.”