Prep Football: Can Carlsbad Finally Finish the Job in 2026?

Photo Credit: Nicole Noel Photography

Location: Carlsbad, CA

League: Avocado West

Head Coach: Thadd MacNeal (16th Season)

2025 Season: 10-2 (3-1 Avocado West, T-1st)

2025 Playoffs: Lost to Cathedral in Open Division Final

For the Carlsbad Lancers, the elite Open Division bracket has been a masterclass in both excellence and agony. Carlsbad has established a dominant, winning culture in North County that guarantees them a spot in the championship conversation year in and year out, earning a spot in the section’s premier postseason bracket four times in the last six seasons. However, head coach Thadd MacNeal’s squad remains fueled by past narrow misses on the biggest stage—including a 28–21 battle against Helix in 2019, a 28–24 razor-thin loss to Lincoln in 2022, and last year’s late-game championship shocker. Entering 2026 ranked No. 3 in our Preseason Rankings, the Lancers are highly motivated to end a two-decade championship drought that dates back to their 2006 Division I title.

2025 Recap:

The hunger for redemption stems directly from the heartbreak of their 2025 campaign. After capturing a share of the Avocado West League title with a 3–1 league record (10–2 overall), the No. 3 seeded Lancers defeated rivals La Costa Canyon 27–23 in the Open Division semifinals to reach the championship game. In the final against Cathedral Catholic, Carlsbad dominated for three quarters behind a stout defense and quarterback Eli MacNeal, who threw a 27-yard touchdown strike to Ethan Meyerhoff and a 48-yard touchdown to Travis Jeffery to build a commanding 16–0 lead. However, they were unable to protect their advantage, witnessing a furious 20-point fourth-quarter comeback by the Dons to fall 20–16.

2026 Outlook:

To finish the job in 2026, Carlsbad will rely on a star-studded roster packed with elite talent. The offensive backfield features a physical, punishing ground game led by senior running back Darian Webb. On the perimeter, the Lancers boast dynamic weapon senior Travis Jeffery, while senior tight end Trent Kellas—a Cornell commit—adds matchup nightmare size. The lines are anchored by massive blocks from senior Reese Spakousky (6'0", 250 lbs) and defensive lineman Conner Nichols (6'3", 280 lbs). Carlsbad also features an impressive group of underclassmen, including junior pass-rusher Mario Anguiano, junior quarterback Antonio D'Alessandro, and promising sophomore receivers Braydon Schwarz and Kyle Prchal.

The road back to the Open Division begins on Friday, August 21, when the Lancers host a formidable out-of-state challenger, Arbor View (Las Vegas, NV). From there, Carlsbad must navigate a relentless regular-season league minefield that features highly-anticipated clashes against North County rivals Oceanside, Torrey Pines, Mission Hills, and La Costa Canyon. If Carlsbad can sustain their high-powered offense, tighten their fourth-quarter execution, and lean on their veteran senior class, 2026 may very well be the year they change the narrative to "champions at last".

Impact Losses:

LB/TE Rocky Cummings (Texas)

OL Mekhi Green

QB Eli MacNeal

WR/CB Ethan Meyerhoff

2026 Schedule:

8/21 vs. Arbor View (NV)

8/28 @ Oceanside

9/4 vs. El Camino

9/11 vs. Poway

9/18 @ Valley Center

10/2 @ Torrey Pines*

10/9 vs. Mission Hills*

10/16 vs. San Marcos*

10/23 @ La Costa Canyon* (#)

10/30 vs. Del Norte

* League Opponent

(#) Rivalry Game