We’re almost to the spring camp season, and that’s a big deal for the class of 2027.

One school in Ohio that is gaining momentum in Lake Forest is Denison University.

The Division 3 school gained a commitment from the 2026 class, safety Aedan Cassidy, and recently hosted a group of juniors for a visit.

Denison’s head football coach, Jack Hatem, joins the Slants and Arrows podcast. This interview was recorded on March 5.

Topics discussed:

* Why he likes recruiting athletes from the Chicagoland area and Lake Forest

* Characteristics he looks for in a recruit and what makes a good fit for Denison

* How the transfer portal impacts Division 3

* What separates Denison from other schools in the conference or region

* Coaching senior Cade Nowik, a two-sport star at Denison who played three sports at LFHS

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Coach Hatem. We covered quite a bit of ground in about 30 minutes.

Here are a few clips from the podcast:

WHY HE RECRUITS CHICAGOLAND PLAYERS

THE TRANSFER PORTAL AND DIVISION 3

ON WHY HE’S STAYED AT DENISON

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop a note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

It’s been almost two weeks since the game was played, and the football world is still buzzing about the Super Bowl.

One player who changed the game for the Seahawks just so happens to be a fomer Scout.

Rylie Mills, the 290-pound defensive tackle for Seattle, played in Super Bowl 60. He also got a key sack on New England quarterback Drake Maye. Before he got to the NFL, he was an all-state Lake Forest Scouts football player.

Rylie’s father, Troy, joins the Slants and Arrows podcast. Speaking from Florida where he lives and works (Troy is in the health care industry), we do a deep dive on Rylie’s rise from Jr. Scout to super Seahawk.

Topics discussed:

* The emotions of attending the Super Bowl and watching Rylie’s sack in person

* Being drafted into the NFL and going to the perfect organization in Seattle

* Choosing Notre Dame from dozens of Power 4 offers and the wild recruiting process that preceded his decision

* How the Lake Forest football community helped mentor Rylie as a young athlete

* Advice to parents with a son or daughter interested in pursuing collegiate athletics

Troy speaks from the experience of raising an elite athlete, but does so in a very humble and relatable manner. We went long, for over an hour, but there was a lot of ground to cover.

I think you’ll really enjoy this conversation.

Have a great weekend.

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop a note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Senior colllege commitments are starting to come in for the 2026 graduating class.

One notable from last year’s Scouts football team is Aedan Cassidy.

A 6-3, 185-pound safety, Cassidy was a three-year starter for Lake Forest. Last fall, he committed to Denison University and will play football for the Big Red starting this upcoming season.

Aedan joins the Slants and Arrows podcast for the second time. He first appeared last August. This interview was recorded on February 11.

Topics discussed:

* The process that went into choosing Denison and the school’s family connection

* Playing through a frustrating and painful injury last season

* What he learned about himself and his capacity for mental toughness

* Reflections on the 2025 playoff-less season

* We talk NIL and the current state of college football

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Aedan. I know I did.

My conversation with Aedan from August of last year can be found here.

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop a note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

The 2025 regular season is in the books for the Lake Forest Scouts.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr discusses the health of the sport of tackle football, program culture, and what went wrong — and well — in 2025.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Lake Forest concludes its 2025 regular season by hosting Mundelein at Varsity Field.

The Mustangs are 2-6 on the season, coming off a win over Waukegan in Week 8.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and the path to victory for the Scouts.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Lake Forest hits the road for a second straight week as it faces North Suburban Conference rival Libertyville.

The Wildcats are 4-3 on the season, coming off a victory against Zion last week.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and the path to victory for the Scouts.

Correction: Junior wide receiver Jack Burger wears jersey No. 6, not No. 8 as referenced in the pod.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Lake Forest is back on the road for a Week 7 matchup with Waukegan.

The Bulldogs are 0-6 on the season, coming off a loss to Libertyville last week.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and the path to victory for the Scouts.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Lake Forest is back at home this week for a Week 6 matchup with Stevenson.

The Patriots are 4-1 on the season, coming off a blowout victory over Waukegan in Week 5.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and the path to victory for the Scouts.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Lake Forest travels west this week for a Week 5 matchup with Lake Zurich.

The Bears are 3-1 on the season, coming off a 27-9 victory over Libertyville in Week 4.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and the path to victory for the Scouts.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe

Lake Forest returns to Varsity Field Friday for a Homecoming match-up vs Zion.

The Zee-Bees are 3-0 on the season, coming off a 19-14 victory over Mundelein in Week 3.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and the path to victory for the Scouts.

Photo Credit: Joel Lerner Photography

For story ideas, article comments/feedback, drop note to [email protected], or @scoutsfootball1 on Twitter.

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit scoutsfootball.substack.com/subscribe