VIDEO: Wolves Showcase Skills at CSL Camp

Scott Baum knew going into Tuesday’s 7-on-7 drills: That his team would not be flawless. But that was perfectly fine with him.

“We’ve made a lot of mistakes, but that’s why we’re out here and they’re coachable,” said Baum, football coach at Niles West High School. “We competed with some good programs today, so we’re happy.”

Niles West got a lot of early experience as more athletes than usual attended the Central Suburban League–Mid-Suburban League 7-on-7 Camp at Maine West High School in Des Plaines. The Wolves had 30-minute scrimmages against five teams from the Mid-Suburban League of the Illinois High School Association.

The camp was mostly passing-oriented with no pads and no offensive or defensive linemen in the plays. Sacks were subjectively given if a quarterback held the ball in the pocket for more than four seconds. No score was kept, but that wasn’t the important thing. It gave Baum one of his first real looks at the team outside of intrasquad scrimmages.

“We always say you can’t just go out there and cover,” Baum said. “You have to start getting a little better mentally and this allows us to do [that].”

Niles West will have a new quarterback this year when the team faces off against Westinghouse College Prep on Aug. 26 in the season's first game. Baum, who is in his third year as coach, is excited about the weapons he has at his disposal. Lavelle and Jeremiah Jordan will be two speed guys for the Wolves.

“Our QB last year [Seve Loubriel] would’ve been much better if he would’ve had the weapons we have this year,” said Baum, whose Wolves went 1-8 last year in the Central Suburban League Conference. “We have some skill kids this year.”

More than anything, Baum wants his players to show some fire, work on their techniques and give it their full effort.

“We say we want to compete, have fun and get better, and I think we did those three things [Tuesday],” Baum said.

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