The Division III football universe is populated by North Central, Mount Union, and the other giants of the sport. Lake Forest, halfway through the season, had formerly placed itself in the conversation for one of the best teams in the country. Not just in the Midwest Conference or the state of Illinois. Yet, the school, located just north of Chicago, isn’t begging for the spotlight. Instead, the Foresters choose to let their play do all the talking, placing the onus on those in sports media to find them.
LFC took the ride up to Ripon, Wisc., to battle the Red Hawks. The game concluded with a convincing 45-14 victory, but the final score fails to capture the full story—not just of the game itself, but also of a team that has built a national résumé without receiving the recognition it deserves. Why? The Foresters play in a major market, displaying a yearly excellence that should garner more attention.
The Best Receiver You Don’t Know
Lake Forest wideout Dom Esposito isn’t the biggest playmaker on the field. Listed at five-foot-nine and 175 pounds, the senior from Queen Creek, Ariz., goes about his game in the quietest, most explosive way possible. Against a Ripon defense that bowed its collective neck early, Esposito enjoyed yet another big day. He opened up the second-half scoring on a 54-yard touchdown reception.
Yet, he wasn’t done, posting 26- and 35-yard touchdown catches. The senior ended his day with eight catches and 177 yards. Despite the warm October day, the Forester offense did not wilt, racking up 466 yards. LFC only possessed the ball for 23:52.
The Architect
Long before Ethan Springer stepped into Hopp Stadium, many regarded him as the best quarterback in the Midwest Conference. The statistics alone may convince many of Springer’s prowess. However, seeing him lead the Lake Forest offense in person reveals a different narrative entirely.
The junior processes quickly, makes sound decisions, and does not appear stressed by the oncoming rush. Most impressive during the Ripon game was the toughness Springer displayed. Ripon recorded three sacks, and the Forester signal-caller found himself on the ground a little more than he would have liked.
Home Cooking’
LFC leaves the state of Illinois one more time, facing Beloit on Halloween afternoon. They will compete against 4-3 Luther College before concluding the regular season with a matchup against their arch rival, the University of Chicago. While the schedule looks favorable, the stakes may rise for a program looking to add to its current 13-game win streak. Is 2026 the year the Foresters will make an impact in the postseason and instill fear in a national powerhouse?
