Lake Forest tops Mundelein, keeps playoff hopes alive
The objective was simple for the Lake Forest's football team Friday night: Win and live to fight another week with an opportunity to clinch an IHSA playoff berth.
The consequence of losing was equally important: Miss out on the playoffs, and guarantee itself a losing season.
While it was not the prettiest game by any means, the Scouts took care of business in a 35-14 victory over Mundelein in North Suburban Conference play.
Lake Forest's urg4ency showed right from the opening kickoff. The Scouts started out fast and never took their foot off the gas pedal after scoring on their first two drives of the game.
"Honest to goodness, I really didn't tell them anything that we don't normally say," said Lake Forest coach Chuck Spagnoli. "They know what's going on. These guys are way smarter than me. They know exactly what position they're in."
Scouts quarterback Jack Mislinski had arguably his best game of the season Friday night, and with the Scouts' backs against the wall and fighting to stay alive, there may not have been a better spot for his performance.
Mislinski put the Scouts on the board in the first quarter, capping an 8-play, 62-yard drive with a 26-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper to give Lake Forest a 7-0 lead. He accounted for 3 of the Scouts' 4 touchdowns.
"I thought [Jack] played very well," Spagnoli said. "The offense was exceptional. They did a great job, kept the ball in our hands for the most part. We had the ball for nine minutes in the first quarter."
The senior threw finished the game going 14 of 21 for 186 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for two scores. Senior tailback Bryan Oooms also added 74 yards on 10 carries with 2 touchdowns.
The 35-point scoring outburst was the second-most points scored by the Scouts' offense this season.
The Mustangs were out of the game early, but deserve some credit. After not having any life offensively the first three quarters, they scored 23 points in the final six minutes of the game including 2 touchdown passes by quarterback Anthony Norris. Mundelein made it a one-score game before the Scouts were finally able to retrieve the onside kick and run the clock out.
Lake Forest improved to 4-4 (2-4 in the NSC) with its second consecutive victory.
The Scouts still have work to do next week and control their own destiny as a win would clinch a playoff berth. The Scouts visit winless Waukegan next Friday night. Mundelein fell to 2-6 and 1-5 in the NSC.