The Lakeland Dreadnaughts are set to face an intense lineup in the upcoming 2025 season, which is anticipated to bolster their strength of schedule. This positioning will be crucial as High School Football America prepares its preseason rankings powered by NFL Play Football. Last year, the Dreadnaughts ranked No. 30 nationally after a loss to St. Thomas Aquinas in the 5A state championship game.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Marvin Frazier, the team's early-season schedule includes formidable opponents from last year’s HSFA top 300 teams. The schedule features matches against national powerhouses like De La Salle (California), Lake Mary, and Booker T. Washington. These games promise to challenge the Dreadnaughts significantly, setting the stage for what could be another successful campaign.

Opening Challenges Set the Tone

The start of the 2025 season is designed to test the Lakeland Dreadnaughts immediately with three tough matchups within their first four games. These encounters include a clash with Auburndale followed by a road trip to California to play against the renowned De La Salle Spartans. Additionally, they will host Lake Mary, who were strong contenders last year.

Beginning with Auburndale, the Dreadnaughts will then travel westward to engage with De La Salle, a legendary football program known for its incredible streak of victories from 1992 to 2004. Although the Spartans lost to Mater Dei in last year's California Open Division championship, they still finished at No. 25 in the nation. Returning to Florida, the Dreadnaughts will welcome Lake Mary, the 2024 7A runner-up, who also ranked among the top 100 teams last season. This series of challenging games aims to prepare the team for further competition and showcase their mettle early on.

District Games and Additional Opponents

Beyond these opening challenges, the Dreadnaughts will also participate in District 6 games against Kathleen, Lake Gibson, and Sebring. Furthermore, they have lined up Specialty Fit Academy, Sumner, and The First Academy (Orlando) for additional non-district matchups. Each of these contests plays a vital role in shaping the team's overall performance.

In September, the Dreadnaughts will head to Miami to compete against Booker T. Washington, a team that finished No. 173 last year under former coach Tim "Ice" Harris. With Dorrean James now at the helm, this matchup offers an exciting opportunity to gauge their progress against a revamped squad. As the season progresses, district games against Kathleen, Lake Gibson, and Sebring will provide essential practice and evaluation opportunities. Additionally, engagements with Specialty Fit Academy, Sumner, and The First Academy (Orlando) round out the schedule, allowing the Dreadnaughts to refine their strategies and tactics before playoffs. With nine Florida high school championships under their belt, including being crowned national champs by USA TODAY in 2005, the Dreadnaughts aim to continue their legacy of excellence in 2025.