After a wildly successful 2025 campaign, Indian Lake and head coach John Rapp are turning their attention toward the 2026 football season with hopes of building on last year's accomplishments while embracing a new set of challenges.

The Lakers finished 11-3 in 2025 and made a deep playoff run, establishing themselves as one of the area's top programs. With several key contributors returning, excitement around the program remains high heading into the fall.

Rapp has been encouraged by what he has seen from his team during the offseason and believes the momentum from last year's success has carried over.

"I feel that we are much farther along in our progress this year at this point than we were in week two of last year's offseason workouts," Rapp said. "Our guys have really been showing up and working hard during the voluntary workouts."

Leading the way offensively is the veteran quarterback-wide receiver duo of Bradey Golliday and Brodey Reisinger. Golliday finished third in the league in passing yards last season, throwing for 2,455 yards, while Reisinger earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 and remains one of the most dangerous playmakers in the area.

Rapp praised the impact both players bring to the offense.

"Golliday has been there and done that as a quarterback. He knows what to expect and what to see on Fridays," Rapp said. "Reisinger may be one of the freakiest athletes I have ever coached at Indian Lake."

The Lakers also return plenty of star power on the defensive side of the ball. Aaron Rapp is back after earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025. The standout defender totaled 130 tackles and 13 sacks last season, while Reisinger contributed in the secondary with five interceptions.

For Rapp, however, the team's chemistry may be its greatest strength.

"This team is going to be fun; the guys love being around one another," Rapp said. "Everything they do is together."

One of the biggest challenges facing Indian Lake this season is replacing a senior class of 13 graduates. With only six seniors on this year's roster, the Lakers will rely on several new faces to step into larger roles on Friday nights.

Despite the youth, Rapp is confident his players are prepared for the opportunity.

"Some guys are going to be introduced to Fridays for the first time this year, but I believe they have put themselves in the best situation to make an impact."

Indian Lake opens the 2026 season at home against Bath on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m., where the Lakers will begin their quest to build on one of the program's most successful seasons in recent memory.

Aug 21 | Bath | Home 
Aug 28 | Fairbanks | Away 
Sep 4 | Allen East | Away 
Sep 11 | London | Away 
Sep 18 | Bellefontaine | Home 
Sep 25 | North Union | Home 
Oct 2 | Shawnee | Away 
Oct 9 | Ben Logan | Home 
Oct 16 | Graham | Home 
Oct 23 | Northwestern | Away