The inaugural season for the Lakewood Lancers took place in the fall of 1957, as they became new members of the Harry J. Moore League. After a sluggish start to the varsity squad, and the emergence of legendary John T. Ford in 1963, the Lancers soon became one of the most dominant teams during his tenure at Lakewood with the assistance of line coach, Roy Woolbright. "Coach Ford took a so, so football program and turned it into a force to be reckoned with," commented David Todd of the 1965 Lancers. "He and Coach Woolbright were both from Texas and they brought their brand of hard nose football to Lakewood...will never forget them."

Texas born and bred, Coach Ford presented Lakewood a vast amount of high school and university football experience. Before arriving at Lakewood, he served as a coach at serveral schools including Rotan High, Hardin Simmons University in Texas, the University of Arizona at Tuscon, Long Beach Jordan and Downey High.

In 1966, Ford led the Lancers to their first Moore League championship in school history. It was also the first time the Lancers had defeated Wilson by a convincing 33-28 final score in front of over 17,000 screaming spectators at Veteran's Memorial Stadium. Later that season, the Lancers went on to play in the CIF semi-finals. At the end of the season, Ford was elected to head the south's team in the California North-South All Star Football game in 1967.

Lakewood had yet another banner season under the command of Coach Ford as the Lancers won their second Moore League crown and faced the Anaheim Colonists in the quarter finals of the CIF playoffs. The Lancers saw more action in the semi-finals of the 1969 playoffs when they faced the Blair Vikings and fell short of advancing to the final. It wasn't until the 1970 season when Lakewood marched all the way to the CIF finals where they fell to Bishop Amat by a single point. The final score in that contest was 18-17.

Coach Roy Woolbright was another Texan breed with tremendous all-around athletic ability. He earned All League honors in football, basketball and baseball to name a few from his impressive resume. A star performer at Rice University, Woolbright led the Owls to the 1954 Cotton Bowl.

Upon completing his career at Rice, Woolbright served as an Army officer before returning to the gridiron as a high school coach in Texas. Sunny, Southern California was his next stop where he served as a line coach at Long Beach Poly. Known for its tradition of championship caliber teams, Poly lost an integral part of its coaching staff as Woolbright packed his bags and headed to Lakewood in 1963.

In just three years following Ford's and Woolbright's arrival at Lakewood, the Lancers went from a dismal 3-5 record to a respectable 7-1 mark in the 1965 season with key wins over Poly and crosstown rival Millikan. It was a match made in heaven as the two coaches joined forces to assemble some of the greatest teams to ever set foot on the playing field at Lakewood.

Alma Mater: Hail Lakewood High School Hear now our song Fair Alma Mater Faithful and Strong We'll always praise thee Who ne'er can fail So hail to our high school Lakewood High, all hail. Our colors glorious The red and white Ever victorious We'll show our might Thy sons and daughters E'er will be true To the, Alma Mater True for aye you. And to our high school When we depart We'll always keep thee Close to our heart Though we must leave thee It's with a sigh for we'll always love thee Our dear Lakewood High.