Football Preview: Lake Forest Academy

2012 record: 4-5 overall, 3-1 Chicago Catholic White

Last playoff appearance: N/A

Head coach: Robin Bowkett, entering second season

Game to Watch: Lake Forest Academy at Bishop McNamara, 7:30 p.m., Sept. 6. A rematch of last year’s final contest when the Caxys scored a touchdown in the final minute to pull out a dramatic 22-21 victory.

Who made the most of the offseason?

At 5-foot-8, 180 pounds, senior Chris Karamanos isn’t the biggest guy around. So this summer while at home in San Jose, Calif., he worked on his footwork and drop backs. “I’m short for a quarterback, so I want to create more depth from behind the line,” Karamanos said.

What adjustments did the program make during the offseason?

The Caxys no longer are accepting international post-graduate players, once a staple of their program. “We’re looking to get sophomores and juniors to come in and have them for more years,” Bowkett said.

Who took the best trip during summer vacation?

Junior lineman Wesley Annan took the train every day from his home in the Toronto suburbs into the city to work out. “It was two hours each way. Most of my summer was training,” Annan said.

Who will be a difference maker this season?

Sophomore lineman Thomas Schaffer is the cousin of 2012 all-conference lineman Felix Schildorfer. Schaffer is a transfer from Austria. At 6-7, 250 pounds, he could be a difference maker on both sides of the ball.

— Jon Kerr

What I did over my summer vacation … Malcolm Chaka

“I went down to Bradenton, Fla., for the 7-on-7 national tournament at IMG Academy in June. My team was the only Canadian team (I’m from Toronto) to go down there and we made it to the final competition. The main thing for me was seeing top recruits in the country and seeing how I compared to them. It was my first trip to Florida. It was a 30-hour bus ride. The whole thing was fun. I got to meet Cam Newton.”

— Chaka is a junior wide receiver