Stentor Sports Staff Writer
The Lake Forest College football team started the 2024 season with a dominant 3-0 record, entering their bye week with momentum and confidence. After a down year in 2023, the Foresters have proven to be a force on both sides of the ball once again, combining a high-powered offense with a stifling defense. After hard-fought wins against Illinois College and Cornell College, where both games were decided in the fourth quarter, the team’s bye week comes at an ideal time to rest and recalibrate for the remainder of the season.
Much of the team’s success can be attributed to the strong leadership from their captains. Wide receiver AJ Jackson has been a key playmaker, making him a crucial part of the program’s passing and run game, notably scoring five touchdowns in the game against Illinois College. Quarterback Joshua Gasca has been leading the offense with composure, showing his ability to manage tight situations and deliver under pressure. His poise and decision-making have kept the offense moving efficiently. When Joshua Gasca wasn’t available during week two against Illinois College, the sophomore quarterback Michael Kasemervisz started against Illinois College and helped lead the team to a win.
On the defensive side, safeties Thomas DeChesaro and Trenton Brail have anchored the secondary with their aggressive play and leadership. Brail, known for his hard-hitting tackles, and Thomas, with his ability to read plays and disrupt the passing game, have made life difficult for opposing offenses. Defensive end Mark Rice has also been a force on the line, causing havoc for quarterbacks and providing a reliable pass rush. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Ian Ramey ensured that Gasca had the protection needed to run the offense smoothly.
But it’s not just the captains who have contributed to the team’s success. Wide receivers Seth Jelovic, Tee Land, Langston Metoyer, and Tommy Carberry have all played vital roles in the passing game. With Gasca at the helm, this talented receiving corps has provided depth and versatility, making the Foresters’ passing attack difficult to defend. Land and Metoyer have made crucial catches in key moments, while Carberry and Jelovic have shown their ability to create space and make plays on key downs.
At tight end, Bode Rubright and Jake Kostoryz have provided the Foresters with additional options in both the passing game and blocking schemes. Their versatility has added another dimension to the offense, giving Gasca reliable targets in short-yardage situations and contributing to the team’s ability to control the tempo of games.
Defensively, the linebacking core of Jackson Sander, Blake Ware, and Nik Rieck has been instrumental in stopping the opposition’s run and applying pressure on opposing offenses. Rieck has consistently made big plays, while Ware and Sander, the sophomore duo, have combined for key tackles and solid coverage, allowing the Foresters to maintain control in the middle of the field.
Following their most recent win against Cornell, the Foresters will head into their bye week, along with the rest of the Midwest Conference. The team’s early-season tests prepared them for the long stretch of games ahead, including the pivotal homecoming matchup against Knox College on October 5 in which the Foresters celebrated a 42-0 win. The team’s focus will be on continuing their winning streak and positioning themselves well for a run at the Midwest Conference Championship.
The 2024 season is shaping up to be one to remember for Lake Forest, and the team’s depth and leadership are key reasons for their early success. With captains like Gasca, Jackson, DeChesaro, Brail, Rice, and Ramey leading the way and contributions from a host of talented players on both sides of the ball, the Foresters are poised for a solid run at MWC success. Their eyes are firmly set on repeating the glory of the 2021 season, when they finished the season undefeated and claimed the MWC title.
