Lowell’s McKim Leading Red Devils to Impressive First Season by Scotty Forrester The Lowell Red Devils football team, under first-year head coach Casey McKim, has put together an outstanding season. McKim, who had a stellar five-year run at New Prairie High School, compiled a 48–17 record with four sectional titles, two regional championships, and two semi-state appearances, including a 2022 semi-state victory that led to a state title game appearance. This fall, McKim has continued his success at Lowell, guiding the Red Devils to a 7–1 record. The team notched its seventh straight win Friday night with a 49–14 victory over Munster. McKim took over for Keith Kilmer, who led Lowell to the 2017 state championship game and previously served as an assistant under Kirk Kennedy, who coached the Red Devils to a state title in 2007 and a runner-up finish in 2009. Remarkably, Lowell has had only three head coaches in the last 35 years, with McKim now leading the program in his first season. Speaking about his transition, McKim reflected on the team’s progress. “Our first game of the season was against Crown Point, one of the best programs in the state and still undefeated this year. We had success with some things we wanted to accomplish after spending the summer competing against strong teams like Fort Wayne Northrop, Valpo, and Elkhart. As the summer went on, we just kept getting better, which built confidence and belief that we could be a good football team this season.” McKim emphasized the importance of fundamentals and consistency. “We make sure we get things right before moving on to the next area we need to improve. Limiting mistakes and keeping things simple helps everyone understand our goals. Doing things over and over again in practice means so much — repetition helps us reduce errors and truly understand what we need to do for success.” When asked what attracted him to the Lowell program after his accomplishments at New Prairie, McKim spoke highly of the community and its football tradition. “Lowell is an unbelievable program, probably one of the best in the state over the last 30 years under Coaches Kennedy and Kilmer. The coaches, assistants, and people in this community live and breathe Lowell football. The kids give 100% every Friday night — it’s a very special place.” McKim also praised his coaching staff and their collaborative approach. “The way I like to coach is by putting my ego aside and listening to my assistants. They work closely with the players and build personal relationships, so if a player is struggling, those coaches can help fix the problem right away.” Looking ahead to Friday’s matchup against Andrean for the outright conference championship, McKim focused on preparation and perseverance. “All I want from my players is to keep getting better and prepare for the moment. We celebrate what we do right and keep building on it. Repetition keeps us all on the same page and helps us avoid unnecessary mistakes.” McKim also reflected on the team’s resilience throughout the season. “Fighting through adversity has defined this team. From the Crown Point game to winning seven straight, they’ve shown toughness and belief. The Hobart game was tough — we didn’t play our best, but we found a way to win on the road against a strong program. Coming back to win on a last-second field goal showed our team’s character. They never gave up and always believed we could win until the clock hit zero.” As the Red Devils prepare for their biggest test yet, the community looks forward to another memorable Friday night under the lights — and possibly another championship for Lowell.