LHS football underway

Offensive players of the Lakenheath High School football team huddle before a play at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 13, 2014. With the 2014-2015 football season underway, the Lakenheath Lancers look to make steps in the right direction for the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

LHS football underway

Steve Noble, Lakenheath High School football team defensive coach, explains proper techniques to players during practice at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 13, 2014. With the 2014-2015 football season underway, the Lakenheath Lancers look to make steps in the right direction for the program. Noble stated, “I have some great young men who have put in hard work throughout the summer workouts, and I can tell they’re hungry.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

LHS football underway

Hunter Novotny, Lakenheath High School football team quarterback, runs a play during practice at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 13, 2014. With the 2014-2015 football season underway, the Lakenheath Lancers look to make steps in the right direction for the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

LHS football underway

Marcus Smith, Lakenheath High School football team fullback, runs the ball during practice at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 13, 2014. With the 2014-2015 football season underway, the Lakenheath Lancers look to make steps in the right direction for the program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

LHS football underway

Lakenheath High School football players listen to coaching points given by Steve Noble, right, Lakenheath High School football team defensive coach, at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England, Aug. 13, 2014. With the 2014-2015 football season underway, the Lakenheath Lancers look to make steps in the right direction for the program. Noble stated, “I have some great young men who have put in hard work throughout the summer workouts, and I can tell they’re hungry.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride)

LHS football underway

Published Aug. 15, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Trevor T. McBride
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing's Lakenheath High School football season has officially kicked off with a helmets-only practice Aug. 13.

With the 2014-2015 football season underway, the LHS Lancers are looking to make steps in the right direction for their football program.

"I want success," said Joshua Kueter, LHS football head coach. "By that, I mean getting 100 percent effort out of each player. I stress that we need to continue to get better each time they step out onto the field."

This is Kueter's first season as the head coach with the Lancers, and unlike last year, it will feature only one team representing LHS.

"The junior varsity teams that played last year have dropped out of the league, making it hard to get any sort of schedule," Kueter said. "But to make up for it, the league implemented an unofficial fifth quarter that will give all players a chance to receive playing time."

Following a losing season, the Lancers have developed a new plan to make a strong push towards success. This includes a change of the head coach position as well as a newly-constructed coaching staff.

"My goal is to be organized and focus intensely on the fundamentals of the game," Kueter added.

According to Steve Noble, LHS football defensive coordinator, he's excited to bring a new scheme to the defensive side of the ball.

"I have some great young men who have put in hard work throughout the summer workouts, and I can tell they're hungry," Noble said. "This is a great opportunity for me to build chemistry in order to overcome the challenge we face being the smallest school in the division."

The football team has a variety of competition across Europe. They play other Department of Defense Dependents Schools in England and Germany.

LHS football players have been involved in early-morning summer workouts since June in preparation for the season.

"The work ethic of the players has far surpassed the coaches' expectations," Noble said. "These guys have been lifting hard and conditioning during the summer, and I'm convinced it will make a difference."

All of the work put in by the players will get put to the test when they open the season with a home game against Wiesbaden High School on Sept. 13.

According to Kueter, community support from the 48th FW is highly encouraged at the games this season.

"I don't want to see any empty stands like there have been in the past," Kueter stated. "There are many Airmen on this base that we think would be interested so we plan to do a better job of getting the word out this season."