By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we counted down the Top 25 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. Over the next week or so we will take a look at the teams that were on the bubble:

Team: Lake Forest
Preseason Rank: Not Ranked
2015 Record: 24-9
Conference: North Suburban Lake
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Ray Del Fava
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional Championship
2015 Final Rank: Not Ranked
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Pitchers: 5

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Cal Coughlin, RHP/SS, 2016 (Texas Christian)
Brad Czerniejewski, OF, 2017 (Texas Christian)
Matt Peterson, LHP, 2016 (Villanova)
Jake Durburg, C, 2016
Grant Messner, RHP, 2016 (Cal Tech)
Jason Cast, OF, 2017

X-FACTOR
RHP/INF Cal Coughlin. A two-way prospect, is one of the best power arms in the Illinois 2016 class. He was up to 94 mph this winter at the Super 60, sitting 90-93. He also features a cutter that has potential to be a dominant pitch. Coughlin will be expected to lead the way on the mound and at the plate this spring.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
LHP Bryan Bund (Eastern Illinois)
C George Karkazis (Miami (OH))

2016 Season

+ Preseason Top 25 Team Countdown Previews 

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Rankings

+ Complete Illinois High School Schedules