Southern Lakes Blue Devils seeking area players for upcoming season
By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
They’re the only game in town, and football lovers will have a chance to live a dream Sunday.
The Southern Lakes Blue Devils, the area’s only semi-professional football team, are holding an open tryout Sunday night at 7 p.m. at Westosha Central High School, 24617 75th St., or Highway 50, Paddock Lake.
According to owner and head coach Tom Hawkins, the tryout will be held in the main gym and will include speed and agility drills like a 40-yard dash along with strength tests like the bench press.
The cost is $10 to try out, and participants should wear gym shoes and white T-shirts for offense or black T-shirts for defense.
Hawkins said the team is looking for help at the quarterback and offensive and defensive lines, but all spots will be earned.
In 2015, the Blue Devils finished the season 13-4. Team MVP Chris Walsh, a quarterback, is back, along with a veteran roster.
“We are locked and ready to build a solid, quality league for guys to get real looks,” Hawkins said.
SLBD is a member of the Iron Athletes Football League, which includes the Brew City Bulldogs, Kenosha Cougars, Milwaukee Hurricanes, Blue Devils and Wisconsin Warriors in the Northern Division.
The Southern Division consists of Illinois teams, including the Canaryville Outlaws, Chicago Colts, Chicago Mustangs, Fox Valley Eagles, Lake County Venom and Joliet Buccaneers.