The Athletic Scout podcast

Before we get to the content, a special offer for first-time subscribers:

A special offer for Scouts Football family members: a 50% discount on the annual plan for all first-time subscribers through Sept. 1

That’s $25 for a full season of Scouts Football coverage.

That discount covers all first-time paid subscribers and members of the Scouts Football family. That’s former players, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles—the entire community.

For first-time subscribers, click the button below to claim your special offer.

You can claim that offer through Sept. 1.

We’ll have full coverage of the Scouts all season long, right here on The Athletic Scout.

Lake Forest hits the road as it faces Carmel in a regional Week 2 matchup.

Both teams enter this game having dropped their season opener.

In this podcast, TAS publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this game and whether there’s a path to victory for the Scouts.

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 theathleticscout.substack.com/subscribe

Rapid reaction podcast from the Scouts’ season-opening 6-0 loss to Deerfield Friday night.

Lake Forest drops to 0-1 on the season and travels to Carmel next week.

For more youth sports and community athletic news, go to theathleticscout.substack.com.

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

Jack Burger is ready to lead.

The senior wide receiver is one of three captains on this year’s Lake Forest team.

Earlier this week, I caught up with Jack, a frequent guest on the TAS podcast over the years. We chatted about how he views leadership and what he learned from an influential book read while rehabbing an injury. We also talked about the 2026 season, which kicks off tonight, and his fall recruiting plans.

We bring you that conversation on The Athletic Scout podcast.

Before we get to the content, a special offer to first-time subscribers:

A special offer for Scouts Football family members: a 50% discount on the annual plan for all first-time subscribers through Sept. 1.

That’s $25 for a full season of Scouts Football coverage.

That discount covers all first-time paid subscribers and members of the Scouts Football family. Those are former players, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles—the entire community.

For first-time subscribers, click the button below to claim your special offer.

You can claim that offer through Sept. 1.

We’ll have full coverage of the Scouts all season long, right here on The Athletic Scout.

Topics discussed:

* Expectations and goals for the 2026 football season

* How he defines leadership and his vision for motivating his teammates

* What colleges are recruiting him and what he wants out of a school

* Why he hasn’t committed yet and his timeline for accepting an offer

I really enjoyed this chat with George and found him to be candid and frank about the upcoming season and his college future. He’s been on quite a ride, one that is far from over. I think it’ll be worth your time.

Here are a few clips from the interview…

What the 40% rule means:

What rivalry means the most:

On what matters most in recruiting:

For first-time subscribers, click the button below to claim your special offer.

You can claim that offer through Sept. 1.

We’ll have full coverage of the Scouts all season long, right here on The Athletic Scout!

For more youth sports and community athletic news, go to theathleticscout.substack.com.

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

The 2026 graduating class is enjoying their summer before heading off to college.

One member of the class has a shorter summer than most. But there’s a very good reason for that.

James Elliott, a two-year varsity football player, heads off to Annapolis, Maryland, later this month and to the Naval Academy.

Elliott shares his journey from Scout to Midshipman in this episode of The Athletic Scout podcast.

Topics discussed:

* The day he learned he’d been accepted into the Naval Academy

* The arduous application process and when he decided to pursue it

* What’s required from a physical fitness perspective

* How he defines leadership and being a captain

* How playing in the LFHS football program helped lead him on the path to a military academy education

Really good stuff with James. Such a unique story, and I couldn’t be happier for him.

Here are a few clips from the interview:

How Athletics Built His Leadership Skills:

What Being A Captain Taught Me:

How the Navy Offer Played Out:

For more youth sports and community athletic news, go to theathleticscout.substack.com.

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

(Photo Credit: The Forest Scout)

Spring sports season is here! For many football players, attention shifts to lacrosse. The Lake Forest Scouts are two-time defending state champions in boys lacrosse.

One standout player is junior Emmet Lee.

Lee, a wide receiver for the football team, plays attack for the Scouts’ boys lacrosse team. This season will be Lee’s third on the varsity. Last fall, Lee committed to Cornell University for lacrosse.

He joins the Slants and Arrows podcast for the first time.

Topics discussed:

* What is the attack position and other positions in the sport of lacrosse

* Expectations for the 2026 season for the Scouts and key players

* Being injured for much of the 2025 lacrosse and football seasons and why he returned for one game last football season.

* The mental and physical skills needed to play both sports

* Why he chose Cornell over other options to play college lacrosse

Here are a few clips from the podcast:

WHY FACEOFFS ARE SO IMPORTANT IN LACROSSE

WHAT SOPHOMORE SEASON INJURY TAUGHT HIM

ON HIS COLLEGE DECISION

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

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 theathleticscout.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 theathleticscout.substack.com/subscribe