When the Lakes’ boys varsity football team was a part of the North Suburban-Prairie conference, they took home four North Suburban-Prairie conference titles in a row (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015). In 2016, Lakes was switched to the Northern Lake County conference, a conference which includes, Lakes, Antioch, Grayslake North, Grayslake Central, North Chicago, Round Lakes, Grant, and Wauconda. Since becoming part of this conference, Lakes has not won a conference title. At least not yet.
The Eagles’’ record in the 2023 season was 1-8, coach Jason Ellerman certainly feels the weight of this record. “I have to take responsibility of what happens [while] everyone else is following my lead or my direction,” Ellerman said.
Ellerman’s coaching style has much potential when it comes to the future for Lakes. Both Ellerman and assistant coach Greg Lyons played big factors when it came to using the 2023 season as a way to teach their young team how to deal with and learn from bad games. The success of Lakes in the future will depend on how they deal with the adversity they faced in the 2023 season.
A clear mindset and positive approach will be key for Lakes going into next season. It is up to the coaching staff to set the tone, and Ellerman is aware of this responsibility. “We are going to learn from our mistakes and come up with a solution, but not dwell on it” coach Ellerman said, he also believes that “at the end of the day, its just a game not life or death”.
Coach Lyons had many compliments on the approach of the head coach. “I’m more positive than anything. I’ll let my emotions [show] especially for the good things. I like to be upbeat,” Lyons said.
Both Ellerman and Lyons are all in for their athletes. This is Lyons’ ninth year coaching at Lakes, and he is well known for his outgoing and positive attitude towards all of his students and athletes. Ellerman has been teaching and coaching at Lakes for 15 years. His drive to succeed is what sets Ellerman apart from other coaches. Both coaches are aware of their responsibilities on the sidelines.
“Coaches have almost as much [of] an impact as the kids. Bad decision making can cause you to lose a game” said Ellerman.
Lakes football is in good hands in the future. The mindset of overcoming a challenging season is natural for the Lakes coaching staff. At the end of the day, Ellerman understands what the key points to success are on and off of the field. Since football is only a game, Lyons and Ellerman take account for life outside the game. As educators, both coaches put academics and life ahead of football. However when in action on the field, Ellerman and Lyons have a very competitive spirit and want to win. Lakes football has been a tool to teach valuable life lessons. Life is filled with adversity and so was Lakes’ 2023 season. It is how you respond to adversity that matters the most.
