Lakes hopes for better results this campaign
Lakes' football scrimmage last Friday night was canceled due to field conditions, the school's Web site said.
That can't be viewed as good news, considering the Eagles surely are determined to show their fans that their product is much improved this season.
After Lakes made the state playoffs in its second season ever two years, coach Luke Mertens' 2007 squad wanted to make it back-to-back postseason berths while establishing its own identity.
That scenario never materialized.
After edging Grayslake North in their season opener, the Eagles dropped their next five games, squelching any playoff hopes. Tight victories over Antioch and Round Lake in the last three weeks of the season sandwiched a loss to Warren and didn't salvage much.
Lakes' biggest problem last year was probably its offense, though the defense wasn't stellar either. The Eagles mustered only 151 points (fewest among NSC Prairie teams) and were shut out three times. They allowed an average of 28 points per game.
The good news for the offense is that running back Josh Gaido returns after showing promise as a junior, rushing for about 700 yards. He'll have veteran Erik Stone (6-3, 260) blocking for him, along with Bill Brinser (6-3, 280), Nick Djus (6-1, 210), Rob Thomas (6-0, 265) and Chris Heerema (6-2, 205).
The question is, who will quarterback? The answer might be both Justin Hotle (6-3, 195) and Zach Percival (5-8, 167).
Mertens has rotated his QBs before, and might do so again this fall.
The roster also includes 6-foot-4 track star Marcell Kirkmanbey and 6-5 basketball standout John Androus, both of whom should play linebacker. Veterans Kyle Sanderson and Kevin Baldino also man linebacker spots.
The Eagles open tonight at Grayslake North.