New quarterback Evan West isn’t the only change in Round Lake’s football program.
Former Carmel assistant Randi Dey is the new coach, a spread offense has replaced the triple option, and first-year varsity players make up much of the roster.
“From the first time coach Dey got here, he’s talked about changing from a losing culture to winning, and I honestly think we’re on that road,” West said. “It seems like all we’ve had around here are 0-9 seasons, so we’d like to change that for ourselves and for the town.”
After an all-too-familiar 40-6 loss to West Chicago in the season opener, West and the Panthers orchestrated a memorable turnaround last week. Their 41-0 home win against Maine East on Friday was their first victory since Sept. 30, 2022. It ended a 22-game losing streak.
More important, the win validated the players’ confidence in the team’s direction.
“In the locker room after the game, guys were going crazy, hopping and jumping around,” West said. “It felt really good, and for all the people who watched, I hope it felt good for them too.”
West, a 5-foot-11, 165-pound junior, was a big part of the festivities, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. The TD passes to senior Marqus Ries and junior Devin Powell underscored the reason Round Lake’s coaches chose West to direct the new offense.
“His ball placement in Week 2 was much better, both in finding his receivers and not putting the ball in harm’s way as much,” Dey said. “He was more efficient in managing the game, and he was a lot sharper with his decisions — and he had four or five drops too.”
West’s production against Maine East is what Round Lake’s coaches envisioned in the offseason. He replaced senior Kevin Rodriguez, who shifted to slot receiver.
“Running definitely isn’t my thing,” West said. “I’m not the fastest guy. If it were up to me, I’d sit in the pocket behind the line and throw the ball.”
The Panthers’ spread offense will allow West to do that. His intangibles are the key, according to Dey.
“He has an intrinsic desire to learn and a genuine enthusiasm for getting better,” Dey said. “If he didn’t have those things, it wouldn’t work.”
Among West’s traits is a short memory. Against West Chicago, the Panthers’ offense was in the red zone five times but scored just six points.
“Everything was a little bit of a mess in the opener, and I know I was crazy nervous,” West said. “In the first week, I saw myself rolling out and leaving the pocket. Last week, I trusted in my line, and I just felt more protected. I came out more confident and felt like there was nothing to it.”
Round Lake junior linebacker Dylan Wright has watched West’s confidence develop right before his eyes during practices and the first two games.
“It started when we were installing everything and he would ask me to go run plays with him to get more familiar,” Wright said. “Now it seems like he knows who’s going to be open before the snap, and when he sees an open man, he doesn’t hesitate.
“He’s gotten a lot more comfortable in the shots that he takes, and the new offense fits his playing style.”
With that newfound confidence, West is casting aside limitations, either real or perceived.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs,” he said. “We can’t let little things or negative plays or even games get to us. If we do that, we’ll be all right.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.