With the new season quickly closing in, Grand Valley State University’s football team has been preparing for the past several months, looking towards securing a week one victory against the Central State University Marauders.

Coming off a strong 2023 season, where the Lakers went 11-2 and advanced to the Division II quarterfinals, the team hopes to build off their success in their home opener against the CSU Marauders. 

Although GVSU is starting off their season against CSU, the last time the two teams faced off was in the 1987 season, where CSU took the win 25-23.

As the Lakers work out final preparations before their first matchup, confidence is high for Lakers’ head coach Scott Wooster.

“We talk about confidence as a byproduct of competence,” said Wooster. “When you have success against good opponents, that grows your confidence.” 

Wooster added that he’s looking forward to seeing how the team’s members perform and lead one another.

“There are some guys who will have an impact on the season, who have not been out in the bright lights of Lubbers Stadium,” Wooster said. “There are a lot of veteran guys who have been under these lights and who (have) confidence, and we rely on them to lead and bring other guys through the nerves.”

With spirits high for the coaching staff, players also can’t wait to take the field once again.

“Being away from football, the game, Lubbers (Stadium) and the fans for so long, it’s hard to not get excited,” said senior offensive lineman Gabe Brown.

Wooster added that approaching game week, the team has a growth mindset.

“(We’re seeing) how much better can we be week-to-week,” Wooster said. “It’s about being the best we can be against Central State, and whatever happens in that game, week two must be a better version of ourselves. Every week is the championship game is our mindset.”

Redshirt freshman running back Paschal Jolman added that he thinks the team’s in a great spot right now.

“We are very excited for not only that game (against CSU), but the games to come,” Jolman said. “Not only do we love where we are, but we also love where we are headed.”

With high hopes, standards and expectations for this season have increased.

“(We need to) just be as dominant as possible, having each guy take care of their two square yards and executing,” said Jolman.

Brown also explained that the team is trying to play as much complimentary football as they can.

“On the offensive, it is all about helping out the defense and special teams by scoring touchdowns and giving (a) good field position,” said Brown. “It’s all about leaving the tank on empty. None of us want to miss GVSU football after this.”

Being just a point away from a Division II national championship in his first year as head coach, Wooster explained how the team is preparing for another chance to prove their capabilities.

“For me as a coach, I measure my growth between year one and year two,” Wooster said. “We lost in the regional championship game, and being that close, we talk about reaching higher, reaching that one percent more. If we achieve that, there will be a lot of talk about a national championship.”

Kickoff for the Lakers’ 2024 campaign will begin at Lubbers Stadium on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.