For the first time in 13 years, the Lake Forest Varsity Football Team defeated Warren Township High School last week and will attempt to continue their undefeated season this Friday against Zion-Benton Township High School.
Going into the game, the Scouts were ranked 35th behind 18th-ranked Warren. The win may have been unexpected, but it wasn’t luck.
“I’m most proud of how much effort everyone puts into the games. We’ve shown that we can beat good teams, and now there’s a responsibility to continue that,” said senior TE Trevor Diem.
The night began with a field goal from senior Tim Dan, giving the Scouts an early 3-0 lead. The Scouts’ defense shut out Warren in the first half, while the offense was able to tack on two more rushing touchdowns. QB Danny Van Camp’s one-yard TD rush and Marty Hippel’s 48-yard TD rush gave the Scouts a comfortable 17-0 lead going into halftime.
“Confidence is key. I think it plays a huge role in our success as a team. I try to instill confidence in my teammates, and I think when everyone knows what they’re doing, it makes it easier to rely on each other,” said Van Camp.
Lake Forest dominated the second half with another 47-yard TD rush from Hippel and a 29-yard TD rush from junior Owen Yates. The defense continued to shine, forcing the Blue Devils into five turnovers. Safety Ryan Milliman and safety Aedan Cassidy each collected interceptions, while DL Matthew Somoza and LB Jimmy Scheidler both recovered fumbles. The Scouts capped off the scoring with a 55-yard pick-six from Scheidler to beat the Devils in dominant fashion 38-7.
“Going into it, I think everyone was expecting them (Lake Forest) to lose,” said senior Blakely Rice. “It ended up being a great game, and I’m excited to see how long they can stay undefeated.”
Although some fans may have been doubtful, the student section was anything but empty. The stands were flooded with gold as Scout Nation not only worked to support the players but also Cal’s Angels, a nonprofit organization that benefits pediatric cancer.
At the game, each student was gifted a gold t-shirt from Scout Nation in hopes of raising awareness and funds for the organization. Supporting different groups is one of many tactics Scout Nation uses to involve the student section.
“This year, Scout Nation has found new ways to be cohesive with the band and cheerleaders. This integration, on top of the team’s success, has lifted the spirits of students and created a more energetic environment,” said Scout Nation President Sara Drowne.
Between themed t-shirts, new chants, and an undeniably talented team, the Scouts are in for a remarkable season.
