Friday night lights are back as Orange Lutheran’s football program prepares to take the field for the 2023 season.   Building on their successes over the last two years under head coach Rod Sherman, the Lancers start the season with a No. 2 ranking in Orange County (OC Register) and a No. 10 ranking in the state (MaxPreps) as they tackle the fifth toughest game schedule in the country.   Non-league opponents this year include Serra, De La Salle and Sierra Canyon, as well as the always tough Trinity League matchups. Out of the 10 regular season games OLu will play this fall, eight teams the Lancers will face are ranked in the national Top 100.     Sherman looks at the challenging schedule as an opportunity for growth. “It doesn’t mean it's going to be easy, but we think it's going to be good,” says Sherman. “You get growth through having to face those challenges and working to overcome them. We think that's consistent with our faith walk. We're going to get better as we get challenged and have to answer the call.” Sherman still considers this to be a younger program, but emerging leaders from OLu’s varsity squad include junior wide receiver Tyler Hennessy who has shown consistency in his effort and a positive attitude in the offseason and will serve as a key player in the Lancer offense.   There is also excitement surrounding the team’s defensive linebackers, a core group of returners including All-County honorees junior Jireh Moe and sophomores Talanoa Ili and Auma Jennings who are ready to make their mark on the season.   An area where Sherman has seen the most improvement is in the Lancers’ offensive line, andthe coaching staff is looking forward to seeing the players showcase their improvement from a year ago.   Their first opportunity to do that will be on Friday, August 18, as OLu takes on Serra in a home contest at Orange Coast College’s Lebard Stadium. “We have kids that have worked really, really hard, for months, and they've done that without needing to be motivated,” says Sherman.“They've brought great attitudes and great efforts. I feel like I see The Parable of the Talents here, where so many kids have multiplied their talents. I can't wait for them to have fun doing it and be able to do it on big stages.”