Lemont’s Corey Laga understands the concept of being physical on the football field, but he tries to take care of business with his mental approach before even worrying about anything else.
How much does that help? Well, the Vanderbilt recruit never gets too far ahead of himself despite his heralded status as one of the top-rated senior offensive tackles in the state.
“This is such a mental sport,” Laga said. “You can’t be scared. When you do that, you are going to overthink and mess up. I go out there and think about the guy who’s right in front me,
“And I just go at him every single time.”
Leading the way at left tackle, Laga helped Lemont produce a season high for points Friday night in a dominant 42-0 South Suburban Blue victory over host Tinley Park.
Lemont (3-3, 3-1) rushed for 196 yards, with senior running back Andrew Ascolani and junior running back Tommy Markun each scoring two touchdowns. Junior quarterback Ryan Plahm also threw a TD pass.
“He’s my blind side,” Plahm said of Laga. “I never have to worry about taking a sack with him there. With his elite size, he’s always doing his work and the work for other guys.
“He’s a great leader out there. His personality shows everything. He’s very serious about football, but he’s also very funny, a great buddy.”
Lemont coach Willie Hayes confirmed so many college recruiters came to visit school in early January that he had to dispatch assistant coaches to accommodate all the different representatives from Illinois, Michigan State, Oklahoma and Iowa State.
Hayes has a longstanding connection to Laga’s family, playing football with his uncle and graduating in the same class as his aunt. Laga wears No. 57, the same jersey his uncle wore for Lemont.
“He started for us at right tackle as a sophomore at 195 pounds and did exactly what he needed to do in the offseason,” Hayes said of Laga. “I think the thing that makes him extremely special is his ability to move in space and bend. Some bigger guys that size have difficulty being able to move.
“He’s explosive, and that’s what the college guys are looking for.”
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The college offers started pouring in after Laga produced game tape from last season when Lemont qualified for the Class 5A state playoffs.
He started playing flag football at age 6. He’s the second of four kids from an athletic family and also played basketball and baseball during his first two years of high school.
Now, football is Laga’s sole focus — and his future. He’s 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds with room to grow. His other growth came in being named captain.
“I do need to put on more weight, but that’s for when I get to college and I think they’ll blow me up,” he said. “I definitely use my length to my advantage, especially in the passing game
“My sophomore year, I was definitely more nervous and I wasn’t really a leader. Last year, I gained more and more leadership.”
Hayes relies on Laga’s adaptability and athleticism to shift him anywhere on the offensive line, especially right guard in short-yardage situations. He even plays defense in special circumstances.
From family to his tight circle of friends, the game has meaning and value. Quiet and contemplative, Laga likes to hang out with friends or go fishing with his younger brother.
His father also played football in high school. His mother, Beth, coaches freshman girls volleyball at Lemont.
“I get my competitiveness from my mom,” he said. “She makes it known that she never wants to lose. I’m the same way. I hate losing and I love making it known we’re better than the other team.
“That feeling of putting someone in the ground and scoring is just the greatest feeling.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.