Lake Forest High School's football team opened preseason practice Wednesday, Aug. 5, launching 16 straight days of preparation before the Scouts host Deerfield in their home opener on Friday, Aug. 21.
The first padded practice marks the official start of a season loaded with unanswered questions for head coach Chuck Spagnoli's squad, which finished 4-5 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for just the second time since 2010. A preseason preview from The Athletic Scout framed six key storylines heading into camp.
Here's what the Scouts must sort out before kickoff.
Who's the quarterback?
For the second straight year, the job is wide open. Senior Rafi Karam and junior Colin McMahon are the leading candidates. Karam was the third quarterback behind Braden Hoskins and Sufyan Hussain last fall. McMahon started for a JV squad that posted a winning record. Sixteen practices isn't much runway to name a starter.
Can the offensive line hold up?
The Scouts were physically overmatched up front in 2025 losses to Libertyville, Stevenson, Warren, Lake Zurich and Carmel. Seniors Charlie Hornberger, Michael Heman, Rowdy Greenlees and Nathan Tunney will compete for starting spots, and their development may determine whether the offense can sustain drives.
How healthy are the skill players?
Junior wide receiver Jack Burger broke his leg in the 2025 opener against Deerfield and missed six games. He's been called a "difference-maker and a future college player" by The Athletic Scout. Senior Emmet Lee, a Division I lacrosse commit with game-changing speed, missed eight games last year. Senior Jack Dacy, another pass-catching option, also missed significant time. All three are expected back healthy.
Where does George Holland line up?
The 6-4, 235-pound senior played linebacker in 2025 but could shift to edge rusher or inside defender in Spagnoli's 3-4 scheme. Holland and Burger have been the most active Scouts on the recruiting circuit this offseason. Both worked out at the IHSA Spring Showcase at Stevenson on May 16, where Spagnoli said the event gave players "a chance for the (players) to showcase their ability" and help "get the kids' exposure."
Can they solve Carmel?
The Week 2 matchup against Carmel Catholic is the Scouts' first real measuring stick. Carmel, coached by former NFL player and Bears sideline reporter Jason McKie, leads the series 4-1 since it began in 2021. Lake Forest's lone win came on the road in 2024, a result that helped spark a nine-win season. A split in August (one win, one loss against Deerfield and Carmel) would establish a clear postseason path.
Is the playoff door wider?
Yes. As we reported Aug. 2, the IHSA expanded its football playoff field from 256 to 384 teams in 2026, adding a first round and extending the bracket to six rounds. The top eight seeds in each class get a bye. Under the new format, last year's 4-5 Scouts would have qualified. The old five-win threshold no longer applies.
The Scouts haven't won or shared a North Suburban Conference title since 2011. With key D1 talents like Aaron Stewart, Zach Becker, Quinn Schambow and Finn Goodman graduated from rival rosters, the conference is expected to be less loaded than recent years. To claim a share, Lake Forest would likely need to go 3-1 against Warren, Libertyville, Stevenson and Lake Zurich.
Practice runs daily except Sundays through Friday, Aug. 21. The home opener against Deerfield kicks off the season at Varsity Field.
