FORESTER FOOTBALL

FORESTER FOOTBALL

Monday, July 28, 2014

Forester Recruiting Class of 2014

Aaron Gallini
Belmont, MI
Rockford High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205


Major: Communications

Tom Steen
Gurnee, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 230


Major: Psychology

DeShawn Bloom
Elgin, IL
Westminster Christian School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 197


Major: Business

Jake Burkard
Greenfield, WI
Whitnall High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 270


Major: Physics

Trey Gregory
Fort Wayne, IN
Canterbury School

Position: Tight End
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 240


Major: Undecided

Pat McDonaugh
Niles, IL
Notre Dame High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190


Major: Sociology

Robby Mecham
Yuma, AZ
Gila Ridge High School

Position: Wide Receiver/Punter
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 195


Major: Math/Physics

RJ Pompey
Gurnee, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170


Major: Business

Daniel Solano
Coral Springs, FL
Coral Springs Charter School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 240


Major: Economics

Jenri Viola
Park City, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 155


Major: Computer Science

Kevin Curameng
Bartlett, IL
South Elgin High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 270


Major: Undecided

Jack Fishman
Wesley Chapel, FL
Academy at the Lakes

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 225


Major: Business

Hector Mendoza
Oswego, IL
Oswego East High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 210


Major: Undecided

John Lepper
Tarpon Springs, FL
East Lake High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 195


Major: Finance

Mitch Coha
Downers Grove, IL     
Downers Grove North High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 172


Major: Finance


Trevor Bain
Chesterfield, MO
John Burroughs School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165


Major: Undecided

Nikko Italia
Lombard, IL
Montini Catholic High School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 200


Major: Pre-Med



Noah Poindexter
Boston, MA
Noble and Greenough School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 225


Major: Business

Michael Prate
Port Barrington, IL
Wauconda High School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175


Major: Communications/English

Charlie Roth
Livonia, MI
Franklin High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 182


Major: Business

Matt Roth
Scottsdale, AZ
Notre Dame Prep High School

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 260


Major: Business/Computer Science

Michael Cole
Scottsdale, AZ
Notre Dame Prep High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 215


Major: Undecided

Joel Nierling
Marietta, GA   
Hillgrove High School

Position: Fullback
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 235


Major: Computer Science



Max Sorby
Gurnee, IL
Warren Township High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 160


Major: Secondary Education

Sam Plutchak
Janesville, WI
Craig High School

Position: Defensive Back/Punter
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 170


Major: Biology

Jon Esrock
Chesterfield, MO
Whitfield School

Position: Kicker
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 150

Major: Undecided

Khalil Murphy
Stamford, CT
Pomfret School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 195


Major: Undecided


 Andrew Johnson
Tempe, AZ
Marcos de Niza High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 260


Major: Business

Chase Slagboom
Nunica, MI
Spring Lake High School

Position: Defensive Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160


Major: Business

Manny Gonzalez
Evanston, IL
North Shore Country Day School

Position: Running Back
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 201


Major: Undecided

DJ Baker
Decatur, IL
St. Teresa High School

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 250


Major: Undecided

Anthony Velazquez
Chicago, IL
Amundsen High School

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 315


Major: Accounting

Ryan Shalosky
Austin, TX      
Vandegrift High School

Position: Long Snapper
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160


Major: Business

Kyle Lewis
Herculaneum, MO
Festus High School

Position: Long Snapper
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 195


Major: Computer Science

Tim Finucane
Orland Park, IL
Marist High School

Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 225


Major: Business

Bailey Grant
Yuma, AZ
Gila Ridge High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 175


Major: Pre-Med

Michael Delacruz
Phoenix, AZ
Brophy College Prep.

Position: Offensive Line
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 270


Major: Communications

Charles Courtney
Plantation, FL
St. Thomas Aquinas High School

Position: Kicker
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 165


Major: Biochemistry/Psychology

Pete Rantis
Lake Zurich, IL
Lake Zurich High School

Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215


Major: Finance

Luke Oosterbaan
Palos Heights, IL
Marist High School

Position: Quarterback
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 160


Major: Undecided

George Edlund
St. Charles, IL
St. Charles North High School

Position: Running Back
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 191


Major: English

Eli Ortiz
Whittier, CA
Calvary Chapel High School

Position: Linebacker
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 200


Major: Business Administration

Nick Lemley
Racine, WI
Prairie School

Position: Tight End
Height: 6’7”
Weight: 285

Major: Undecided

Brandon Lewis
Bolingbrook, IL
Bolingbrook High School

Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 185


Major: Undecided

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Foresters Add Four New Coaches for 2014




Head Football Coach Jim Catanzaro has announced four additions to the Forester Football Coaching Staff for the 2014 season. 

"We lost a few good coaches from last years coaching staff. I am excited about the opportunities that they have left for. I know that Coach McNulty's new position as the head coach at Warren Township is one that is a dream position for him. Having Coach Vout leave to join him as his offensive coordinator continues to show the strength, bond, and great working relationship that our coaching staff enjoys," commented Catanzaro.

Albert Greene
Replacing McNulty to coach the safeties is a former foe of the Foresters, Albert Greene. Greene, a 2006 graduate of Monmouth College, was a multi-sport athlete for the Scots, starting as a sophomore on the football team, and receiving Division III All-American Honors as a track athlete in the triple jump. Greene was a four-time Midwest Conference Champion in the event, and still holds the school record. Albert started his coaching career at Knox College as an assistant track and field coach, and currently works at Aon Hewitt. Greene lives in Rolling Meadows with his wife, Tiffany, and their two children McKiah and Blaze.
Dante Daniels

Greene's teammate and 2006 Midwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year, Dante Daniels, will also be joining the Forester coaching staff as the Wide Receivers Coach. Daniels was a record setting tailback for the Scots. Dante makes his return to Lake County, where he was a stand- out athlete at Warren Township High School. Daniels, a 2011 Lake County Ahtletics Hall of Fame Inductee, was the state champion in the 200m dash his senior year. While at Monmouth, Daniels was a multi-sport athlete. In addition to his honors on the gridiron, Dante was also a 2x USTFCCA Academic All-American, and an ESPN the Magazine 1st Team Academic All-American for football in 2006. Daniels had 1,557 rushing yards on 271 attempts in his senior year while scoring 16 touchdowns. Daniels coached both Football and Track and Field at Monmouth after his graduation. Daniels currently serves as the Payroll Operations Manager at Aon Hewitt in Lincolnshire. Daniels, lives in Chicago with his wife Malika.

"I am thrilled to welcome some Midwest Conference Alums to Lake Forest. I remember our game against Dante his senior year, it was a significant game during my first season at Lake Forest. He was one of those players that force you to gameplan around him. As a coach, I have been impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm that both Albert and Dante are demonstrating. Their accomplishments as student-athletes are impressive. The commitment that they demonstrated both on and off the field, is something that our current and future Foresters should aspire to accomplish," commented Coach Catanzaro.

Mike Gerton
The Foresters will also welcome Mike Gerton to the coaching staff as the H-Backs coach. Gerton, like Daniels, has strong ties to Lake County. A former 3-sport athlete at Mundelein High School, Gerton continued his playing career at Valparaiso University as a tight end. Gerton served as a team captain for the Crusaders in 2012, and was the 2012 Richard P. Koening Award Winner. The Koening award is given to football players who "exemplify moral character, academic, and athletic achievement." Gerton was also an extremely successful academic performer, and was honored as a four-time selection to the Pioneer Football League Academic Honor Roll, as well as being a 2013 inductee into the Hampshire Society of the National Football Foundation. Gerton currently serves as Facility Supervisor for the Mundelein Park District.

Dan Murray
The final addition to the Forester coaching staff is Dan Murray. Murray another local product from Maine South High School, enjoyed a stellar career at Loras College. Murray, a two-time IHSA 8A state champion, was the starting offensive tackle for the Hawks on their 2009 state championship team. While at Loras, Murray was a two-year starter and was selected as a Team Captain in 2013. Murray received several awards after his senior campaign, including being named All-Conference, and being selected for the USA Football Bowl, of which he was named the starting left tackle. While at Loras, Murray was a member of the Sons of Joseph Club and the Loras College Rugby Club. Murray will be coaching the Foresters Tight Ends in 2014.


"We have a very versatile offense. The way we use our H-Backs and our Tight Ends has evolved significantly during the last two years. Being able to add specific coaches to each position will allow us to be more efficient during our practice periods, while allowing for more specialized and specific instruction for each position. I am excited to add Mike and Dan to the coaching staff. I think that each brings a unique perspective from their college playing experiences that will serve as a great resource for our players," mentioned Coach Catanzaro. "Both Mike and Dan had very successful careers, and served as team captains. That level of trust and respect from their teammates, is usually a solid indicator that they will be strong leaders as coaches as well."

Coach Catanzaro, welcomes back the majority of his coaching staff as he enters his ninth season at Lake Forest. Quarterbacks Coach Chris Messina, Offensive Coordinator/OL Coach Mike Arthur, and Corners Coach Luke Butts '12 return for their second year on the coaching staff. Outside Linebackers Coach Nick Nikolich and Kicking Coach Mike Pease return for their third years, respectively. Dean Storkan, a defensive assistant, returns for his fourth season on the Forester sideline. The most senior veterans of the Forester coaching staff are Defensive Line Coach Tommy Myers who returns for his 14th season, and Forester legend Mike Dau '58, who will return for his 49th year coaching for the Foresters, as the running backs coach in 2014.

The Foresters are coming off an 8-2 season in 2013, and open up the 2014 season on September 6th as they travel to Wisconsin-Lutheran College for a non-conference game. The entire Forester Football Schedule can be found here: 2014 Schedule

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Forester Football Announces 2014 Recruiting Class

Head Football Coach Jim Catanzaro and his staff announce the addition of 44 new players to the Forester Football Program in 2014.

"I am extremely pleased to see this group of players come together to help continue the success of our football program. They have been provided a template on how to be champions, both on and off the field. I am confident that these players will help enhance the Forester Football Teams reputation on campus. They are serious students who have many goals for themselves, goals that are achievable with dedication, effort, and setting their priorities appropriately," said Catanzaro.

The incoming class hails from 12 different states, including 19 from the Foresters home state of Illinois. Six players hail from Arizona, four from Florida and Wisconsin, three from Michigan and Missouri, respectively. Individual players will come to the Forest from California, Massachusetts, Georgia, Connecticut, Indiana and Texas.

"We were able to address each of our needs in the recruiting class. We are fortunate to have five transfers, who we will look to compete for immediate playing time at their respective positions. Two of those transfers were able to join us for the spring semester and participate in our non-traditional season activities. Our large graduating class left a lot of opportunities for new starters. I truly believe that between the players that we had during the spring, and the incoming players, that we can compete at the highest level. I am also excited by the balance that our recruiting class demonstrates. I feel that we were able to add top line players at every position," concluded Coach Catanzaro.

Click on the image below to see the complete recruiting class.


Starting on Monday, July 14th, check back for recruit profiles.