Every year, close to 100 LHS students sign up to play football with one goal in mind. Bring home another state championship. But it’s not just the talent that has gotten them to the title game in five out of the past six seasons. It comes down to one major thing.
The culture.
“[Lancer football] taught me responsibility and being personable,” Senior linebacker Alex Villa said. “Being able to put my teammates in a better situation through positive criticism helped me have a better sense of empathy.”
The coaches at Londonderry strive to help their athletes become better in all aspects of life. The work they put in and the memories they share with their athletes help them turn kids into men.
“My favorite parts are the long summers and grinding with the boys,” Villa said. “Also, enjoying time with Coach Lauzon.”
The athletes on this team, like Villa, are willing to do whatever it takes to win and perform well for the “family” they have surrounding them.
“I know that if I had a problem or I had something going on,” Villa said. “All of them would be there for me.”
The whole culture surrounding Londonderry football is about being all in for each other, and to continue with that through your life.
The coaching staff and players even stay in touch with each other through high school, helping each athlete lead a bright future.
“I believe that I will carry these connections for the rest of my life,” Villa said. “Whether it’s my teammates and best friends, or my coaches, who also feel like my best friends.”
Assistant Coach Russ Greenwood also shared his experiences, transitioning from a player to a coach.
“When Coach Lauzon came in in 2014 he kind of just established the culture,” Greenwood said.
Greenwood noticed changes in the whole operation of Lancer football that he felt impacted athletes in great ways.
“When [the athletes] leave here,” Greenwood said.“The goal is that they’re leaving as better men. They’re learning about hard work, consistency, and accountability.”
Greenwood repeatedly brings up Coach Lauzon and all the work he does for the organization. He looks up to Lauzon as a leader for each and every athlete and coach.
“When the leader of the whole thing is the first one in, he’s the last one out,” Greenwood said, “it shows that’s what it takes to be great.”
“First one in, last one out” is a motto that Coach Lauzon stands by, and believes his quarterbacks should be like this, too. This is exactly how senior quarterback Sam Ogden goes about his football season.
“I take time of my own to go and work on things with my teammates,” Ogden said. “It’s important to perfect little details and make bigger outcomes.”
Just like Villa, Ogden sees the team as a family with whom he’s willing to fight.
“As the season goes on, your teammates and coaches start to feel more like a brotherhood,” Ogden said. “Being with these guys every day for several hours a week strengthens your bond with them and makes it a family.”
Not only does he take time to help his teammates, but he also spends a lot of time with the coaching staff.
“This program is really involved with their athletes,” Ogden said. “And they teach us that football isn’t just a sport you play. It can shape your character and shape who you are as a person.”
Ogden has had the opportunity to experience this culture since his freshman year, when he was called up to dress for varsity during the 2021 championship run.
“Being brought up was a fun experience because I got to see the difference between freshman football and varsity football,” Ogden said.
His time watching from the sidelines that year prepared him for the next few years to come.
“As a sophomore, I was able to work with Drew Heenan and go to another championship,” Ogden said. “Then, as a junior, I got to take on the role as one of the four quarterbacks, and go to a third straight championship. Now, this year, as the starting quarterback, I got to go to a fourth state championship.”
Ogden closed, feeling strongly about the benefits of playing high school football and how it can leave an impact on a player for the rest of their life.
“These are the greatest times of your life,” Ogden said. “The bonds you create and being under the lights on Friday night is a different feeling that can be brought by no other.”
