On a perfect, temperate night at West Campus on Friday, the 2017 Lake Forest Scouts started off on the right foot by defeating the visiting Glenbard East Rams 38-23 in their season opener.

After the Scouts got off to a quick start by causing on a fumble on the opening kickoff, resulting in a 30 yard field goal by Jack Brush, the visiting Rams battled back to make the game competitive in the first half. After Jack VanHyfte extended the Scouts’ lead to 10 points early on with a short TD, Glenbard East responded with back-to-back touchdown drives to take a 13-10 lead, effectively silencing the raucous West Campus crowd and Scout Nation momentarily.

Then Lake Forest quarterback Jack Mislinski–in what was hist first career varsity start at quarterback for the Scouts–found himself in a groove. Unfortunately for the Rams, Mislinski would remain in that groove for the remainder of Friday night’s contest. First, with 1:10 left in the first half of play, Mislinski found his favorite target, WR Ryan Cekay, for a 26 yd. TD to give the Scouts the lead heading into the break.

The 2nd half was a lot of the same for Mislinski as he quickly scored with his feet on a 67 yd. run from scrimmage on the Scouts’ first drive of the 3rd quarter. From there, Mislinski blew the game open with yet another 16 yd. scamper to extend the Scouts’ lead to 15, 31-16. Bryan Ooms finished off the scoring for the Scouts in the 4th quarter with a short TD run that was set up by a 52 yd. run by junior Jacob Thomas.

Despite some mistakes on coverages early, the Scouts defense shored up its effort in the second half as well, ultimately leading to the 38-23 victory.

As predicted, the Scouts made had some mishaps on both sides of the ball Friday night, but the real reassurance for Scouts fans was Mislinski’s performance under center. The senior was 12-21 for 150 yds.  and a TD in the air, but turned in an equally dynamic effort on the ground with 12 carries for 82 yds. and two more scores. Cekay, the Scouts’ touted vertical threat on the edge, hauled in 5 catches for 78 yds. and a score and offensive coordinator Phil DeWald looked to target Cekay a lot to get him involved. On the defensive side of the ball, captains John Deering and Bryan Ooms paced the Scouts with 8 and 5 tackles respectively, while returning starter Chris Cavalaris picked off two passes from the defensive backfield.

The Scouts look to keep their winning ways in tact next week when they travel to Arlington Heights to face the St. Viator Lions of the East Suburban Catholic Conference. St. Viator knocked off Rolling Meadows 23-19 in their season and home opener on Friday night. Check back on Friday for a game preview from the Forest Scout.