Grayslake North prepared to take big steps forward
The expression "earning your stripes" can be taken quite literally at Grayslake North.
The football coaches decided this past off-season to try a recognition program that would reward their players in the most visible way possible for all of their hard work and dedication to the team.
All of the players started with totally blank helmets. To receive even the team logo sticker for the helmet, a certain amount of work and participation was required. Small decal stickers for the helmet were given for work and achievements beyond that.
Perhaps not coincidentally, Grayslake North coach Steve Wood says his program has had the best off-season in the history of the five-year-old school.
"Some kids are going to have helmets full of decals this season," Wood said. "We've had such a good commitment from these kids. Weight room attendance has been through the roof for us. Last year at this time, we had eight kids who were at 80 percent or above (for weight room attendance). This year, we had well over 40 kids hit that mark.
"We think this is really going to help us this season because all that work is going to mean something for the kids. When it's fourth down in the fourth quarter, you have to look around and know that you can count on the kids around you. You have to know that they're all just as committed as you and I think we're getting to that point."
Wood believes his team is also getting close to breaking through to the other side. The Knights have not yet put together a winning season, and went winless just two years ago.
But last year's best-ever 3-6 mark, not to mention stronger-than-ever commitment from his players, has Wood optimistic.
"We were even in the race for a playoff spot going into Week 8 last year," Wood said. "We obviously didn't finish real well, but just to be in that race, to experience things we've never done was huge for us and it kind of got things going for this year.
"I think we have the best team we've ever had here. It's definitely the deepest. We have two kids at every position on offense and defense that we feel really comfortable with."
The Knights' strength, especially early on, should be its defense. Eight starters return, including linemen Jack Becker, Steve Sass and David Anderson, linebackers Adnan Khan, Hector Silva and Jimmie Prince and backs Kurtis Boyd and Nick Castagna.
"We've improved a lot defensively," Wood said. "Two years ago, we gave up 350 points and last year, we gave up just over 200 points. We have to be able to continue to hang our hat on our defense."
Offensively, the Knights have been slower to come around, and scoring points has been an issue.
Last year, Grayslake North averaged only 11 points per game, second fewest in the Fox Valley Fox Division.
"You have to be consistent offensively," Wood said. "It's not that we can't move the ball or make plays. But we've had some young teams here so far and we've had the tendency to make the one mistake that can wipe out all the good plays before that. We've just got to be more consistent."
The Knights will look to run the ball with a rotation of running backs that will include Andrew Soulis, David Collins, Ian Gwaltney and Boyd. They'll run behind a sizeable line that includes two 300-pounders in Troy Gwaltney and Sass.
Meanwhile, Alec Whiteside and AJ Fish will both get snaps at quarterback. Whiteside is more of a power runner while the 6-foot-5 Fish is a more typical drop-back passer.
GRAYSLAKE NORTH
Probable starters
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB AJ Fish 6-2/165 Soph.
QB Alec Whiteside 5-10/185 Sr.
RB Ian Gwaltney 5-10/175 Sr.
RB David Collins 5-10/175 Soph.
RB Andrew Soulis 6-0/165 Jr.
WR Danny Read 5-9/170 Sr.
WR Josh Cokefair 5-10/155 Jr.
TE Hector Silva 6-1/200 Sr.
OT Troy Gwaltney 6-4/300 Sr.
OG Kasen Christensen 5-10/220 Jr.
C Geoff Gardner 5-11/240 Soph.
OG Matt Reeder 6-0/225 Sr.
OT Steve Sass 6-0/290 Sr.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DL David Anderson 6-2/220 Sr.
DL Steve Sass 6-0/290 Sr.
DL Jack Becker 6-1/200 Sr.
LB Adnan Khan 5-11/175 Sr.
LB Hector Silva 6-1/200 Sr.
LB Connor Morita 5-8/175 Jr.
LB Jimmy Prince 5-11/200 Jr.
LB Adam Xiong 5-11/165 Jr.
DB Kurtis Boyd 5-11/170 Sr.
DB Nick Castagna 6-0/170 Sr.
DB Jake Geary 5-10/165 Jr.