Lake Zurich returns with something to prove

So who will cause Lake Zurich football coach Bryan Stortz to lose sleep more?

His boys?

Or his girls?

He's not counting on the former, as his squad heads into this season with a chip on its shoulder after a disappointing playoff-opening loss to St. Charles East last fall.

The Bears are determined to prove that they're better than the team that went a disappointing 6-4 in 2008, a year after going 13-1 and winning the Class 7A state championship.

Lake Zurich had won its last four regular-season games. The Bears had a statistical advantage over St. Charles East in many categories, but couldn't find a way to win.

"It's been sitting in their hearts and minds," Stortz said of the 17-13, season-ending defeat. "They want to rectify how last season ended."

The Bears open tonight at perennial-power Fremd, and if Stortz is absent from the sideline at any point, it might be because he has a good excuse.

"I'm just praying my wife doesn't go into labor," he said Wednesday.

Stortz and his wife, Jamie, are already proud parents of 21/2-year-old Avery, and the couple is having another girl.

"It's going to be an exciting year to say the least," Stortz said with a laugh.

There should be excitement on the field, too. The Bears will feature an inexperienced offensive line, but they have several veterans at the skill positions.

Included is senior quarterback Peter Rantis, who started the final three games of last season. He'll direct the Bears' option attack.

"He's a very elusive runner," Stortz said of the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder. "He's quick. He's been making good decisions. He just needs to continue to grow. We think he has a lot of upside because we haven't seen his full potential."

The Bears' backfield will include Jacob Brinlee, who played on varsity as a sophomore last year, and fellow running back Devian Ruiz. Senior Adam Lewandowski is back at tight end, while senior Collin Lennon (6-3, 280) is a load at right tackle.

There's good experience at linebacker with seniors J.J. Raffelson, Robby Wilson and Kevin Gratys. Senior Andy Blechschmidt returns at free safety, while Lewandowski will play on the line.

"This group had a great off-season," Stortz said. "We went to a team camp in Wisconsin (at Concordia), and in my four years it's probably been one of the better camps we've had. This is a fun group to work with. They're hardworking and very enjoyable to be around."