Second Season Begins for Scouts; Powerhouse Stevenson Comes to Varsity Field Friday

For the last hour of practice Wednesday, it looked as though football team would get wet.

Ominous clouds hovered overhead, threatening more rain, a familiar development this early fall.

But Lake Forest dodged the showers, finishing their third down challenge to loud cheers. Rain or no rain, nothing is going to dampen this team's enthusiasm for Friday night's 7:30 showdown against Stevenson at Varsity Field. 

"We've been playing well offensively and defensively recently," said coach Chuck Spagnoli a few minutes after the Scouts wrapped up practice. I feel pretty good about where we are."

"I'm ready. I think the whole team is. Everyone wants the game to be (now)." 

Based on the previous four games, the Scouts may never be more ready. Consider this -- since stubbing their toe in Week 1 against Buffalo Grove, Lake Forest . They haven't been behind in a game since the final gun in Week 1.

They have accumulated 1,642 yards of total offense and are plus-11 in turnover margin. That's not just one-sided. That's .

Here's a counter argument, counselor: the Scouts opponents so far have a combined five wins. The team they lost to, Buffalo Grove, hasn't won a game since. This begs the question: just who are the 2011 Lake Forest Scouts? 

"We don't want guys getting too over-hyped thinking they are something they are not," said Keefe. "We want to bring intensity but have it be controlled and not lose our mental focus. Obviously, everyone's giving everything they got."

Said Spagnoli. "Some of that (record) has to do with competition. But you would like to think we haven't limped by."

No, not with those gaping margins of victory on their record. As the rapper Eminem called on his alter ego Marshall Mathers to "please stand up" in his 2000 song "The Real Slim Shady", the Scouts will have their chance to stand up and show who they really are Friday night.  

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There is no doubt about what Stevenson is. The Patriots are a running team, with power and precision not seen from a Lake Forest opponent all year. 

"They are a fearless team," said Keefe. "They are coming downhill fast and strong, and you have to match that."

After stumbling in Week 1 against Lyons, the Patriots have ran off four straight wins, the latest a 13-0 shutout of Libertyville Friday. They possess a stout feature back in 5-foot-9, 190-pound Kevin Foley, but expect them to employ more backs when they have the ball. 

"They have gone to traditional (one-back) sets at times, but they will play three backs," said Spagnoli. 

Stevenson threw the ball just nine times against Libertyville, so don't expect too many passing attempts against Lake Forest. The Patriots will run right at the Scouts, requiring big games from their defensive line and linebackers Brandt Pfeifer and Keefe.

"You have to attack. You can’t sit back and catch blocks," said Keefe. "You have to make sure you are going full speed and meeting them at the line of scrimmage."

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Spagnoli has said publicly he wants Lake Forest to be one of the best programs in the state. He understands the significance of the next four games -- Stevenson, Warren, Libertyville, Lake Zurich -- as steps toward legitimizing that lofty goal. 

But first, the Patriots. 

"They are a good team and have tradition on their side. But here's the thing. At some point that changes. At some point that egg gets cracked," said Spagnoli. "I have no reason to believe this won't be the group that will do that."