Teams win through preparation, Lakeville North middle linebacker Jesse Cardenas said. They win during the hours spent in the weight room or the final drill of a two-a-day practice.
"Win at everything you do" — that's the Panthers' motto, Cardenas said.
"It's on and off the field, having the right mindset, the right work ethic, the right character," he said. "We know we have the chance for something special, and we're going to do everything we can to put ourselves in that position."
That position is in the Class 6A Prep Bowl this fall.
After three consecutive trips to the state tournament and returning what could prove to be the metro's best defense, Lakeville North has its sights set on the school's first state championship since the district split Lakeville High School into North and South in 2004.
As with any team with championship aspirations, it will be the journey to get there that will define this Panthers group, coach Brian Vossen said. The closeness of the team's defense is already starting to write that definition.
"We're like brothers," said Jordan Cardenas, a free safety and identical twin brother of Jesse Cardenas. "We know where each other are on the field. We know that each guy is going to do his job. It makes it really easy. We trust each other."
The Cardenas twins are among the eight returning starters, all seniors, on defense. Between them, outside linebacker Tristyn Hanson and a slew of other talented defenders, Vossen said, Lakeville North could have its most Division I-caliber players on one team at one time.
