The Athletic Scout podcast

Just completed his first season at Duke is Clayton Burton, a 2019 graduate of Lake Forest High School.

As a senior Scout in 2018, Burton had the third-most sacks in the state of Illinois.

Over winter break, Scouts Football Newsletter publisher Jon J. Kerr caught up with Clayton before he left to go back to school and begin off-season workouts with the Blue Devils.

Topics discussed:

* His experience as a first-year transfer at Duke

* Juggling academics and football at a Power 5 school

* Going through a coaching change in December

* His relationship with Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy

* Clayton’s prospects for the 2024 season with a new coaching staff

Happy New Year everybody!

Hope you enjoy this conversation Clayton. I know I did.

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 hosts Geneva in Round 2 of the 2023 IHSA Playoffs. Kick off is slated for Friday night, at 7 pm at Varsity Field.

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

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 travels into Chicago to face Lake View Saturday, Oct. 28, in Round 1 of the 2023 IHSA Playoffs. Kick off is slated for 11 am at Winnemac Stadium.

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

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 hosts Mundelein in the 2023 regular season final Friday night. Kick off is slated for 7:00 pm.

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

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 hosts Mundelein in a Week 9 match up Friday night.

In this episode of The Interview podcast, SF newsletter publisher Jon Kerr has conversation with Mustangs head coach Vince DeFrancesco.

Topics discussed:

* How Mundelein matches up against Lake Forest

* Who are the Mustangs’ best players and why

* Building a high school program from the ground up in 2023

* The importance of coach collaboration and embracing multi-sport athletes

* State of the sport of football and youth programs in his area

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Coach Francesco.

Should be a fun atmosphere Friday night at Varsity Field.

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 hits the road for a Week 8 date against Warren Friday night for a 7:30 pm kickoff against the Blue Devils.

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

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

Entering his fourth season as a South Carolina Gamecock is former Scouts football player Kai Kroeger.

As a junior in 2022, Kroeger earned first team All-American honors by ESPN and The Athletic. He shares the 2023 President’s Outstanding Student-Athlete Award at South Carolina.

Scouts Football Newsletter publisher Jon Kerr interviewed Kroeger during the Gamecocks’ bye week.

Topics discussed:

* How he’s gotten better as a punter in 2023

* The importance of strength training and nutrition for college athletes

* How he’s used name, image and likeness legislation to grow his brand

* NFL ambitions and how he goes through the decision-making process

* How the Lake Forest Scouts program helped shape his college career

Hope you enjoy this conversation Kai. I know I did.

You can watch Kai and the South Carolina Gamecocks play Florida Saturday at 2:30 pm on the SEC Network.

You can find Kai’s official merchandise at kaikroegershop.com.

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 hits the road for a Week 7 date against Lake Zurich Friday night in a 7:30 pm kickoff against the Bears.

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

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 travels to Lake Zurich for a Week 7 match up Friday night. In this episode of The Interview podcast, SF newsletter publisher Jon Kerr has conversation with Bears head coach Ron Planz.

Topics discussed:

* How Lake Zurich matches up against Lake Forest

* Who are the Bears’ best players and why

* Job duties of a high school head coach vs that of a college coach

* Overall state of the sport of football in Chicagoland

* Having Coach Spagnoli as a coach while a player at Carthage

Hope you enjoy this conversation with Coach Planz.

Should be a fun atmosphere Friday night in Lake Zurich.

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 plays Stevenson Friday night in a 7:00 pm kickoff at Varsity Field.

In this podcast, publisher Jon Kerr breaks down the keys to this Week 6 game and path to victory for the Scouts.

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