Principles still come first at Grant

If they painted Fox Lake red last Saturday night, after the local high school painted the stadium end zones red and white, checkerboard-style, it was understandable.

Grant's football team, after all, won its first playoff game since 1999. The Bulldogs should deem that one victory as big as all nine they captured during the regular season.

All teams, in all sports, are ultimately remembered for what they accomplished in the postseason. Regular-season achievements are great, but nothing beats winning in the playoffs.

Kudos, Captain Kurt.

And not just because his team is one of just four in Class 6A that sports a 10-0 record.

As Kurt Rous' Bulldogs prepared for their biggest game of the year -- a must win considering a first-round loss would have validated critics who thought Grant's schedule, which included games against an 0-9 team and a pair of 1-8 squads, was soft -- the head coach got tough.

While the end zones were getting painted red, he got red with anger.

He benched four starters, including his best wide receiver, for disciplinary reasons and didn't play any of them, as the Bulldogs held off visiting Simeon 24-13. The four players didn't even dress, in fact.

Rous could have turned his cheek or looked the other way.

It was, after all, a big football game. Heck, they painted the end zones!

But Rous said the players had been warned before. So it was two strikes and they were out.

Still, I could have seen a parent or booster pleading to Rous to give these -- this team -- a break.

Rous didn't.

A Grant graduate, he protected the integrity of his program, his school. He sent a message.

And if his team lost, oh well.

The fallout from his decision last week?

"All positive," Captain Kurt said.

Grant doesn't play playoff football every year -- let alone host a playoff game. In fact, the last time the Bulldogs played a home playoff game was Round 2 of that 1999 season.

Saturday night, Grant has its second home playoff game in eight days, as Lemont visits Fox Lake.

Rous said the players who sat last week will play, but he wouldn't promise they would have their starting status back.

"It depends if they earn it back," he said.

Last Saturday was a big night for Grant's program.

Under the Bulldogs' current leadership, there just might be plenty more big nights.

Super sophs: Every year varsity football rosters are made up predominantly of seniors and juniors. And the main reason for that is physical maturity.

Know what some varsity football players do to freshmen during the off-season?

They use them to do curls in the weight room.

OK, that's a joke. Truth be told, though, a lot of freshman and sophomore boys would get seriously hurt playing varsity football.

Then there's this season in Lake County.

A standout group of sophomores emerged, led by Warren running back Greg Kennedy, who rushed for 1,144 yards and 13 touchdowns for the playoff Blue Devils.

The Class of 2010 also includes Antioch running back Steve Lorenzini, Carmel defensive lineman Steven Lester, Lake Forest quarterback Thomas Rees, Round Lake running back Cameron Gillespie, Stevenson running back Mark Weisman and linebacker Matt Harris, and Vernon Hills linebacker E.J. Lannon.

And then there's the kid who has future all-stater written all over him:

Vernon Hills freshman wide receiver/kick-return specialist DaVaris Daniels.

Quick fact: Grant has 10 wins.

Libertyville and Stevenson finished with 9 wins -- combined.

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Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com

Grant coach Kurt Rous is hoping his team can extend its unbeaten season with a victory over Class 6A foe Lemont on Saturday night.