Scouting Crystal Lake South at Grant

Crystal Lake South (9-2) at Grant (4-5)

When: 7:30 p.m., today

Last season: Crystal Lake South def. Grant, 24-7.

Outlook: Crystal Lake South, a perennial power in the Fox Valley Conference, will present a tough challenge for the home team. Three-year varsity quarterback Drew Ormseth is surrounded by a big offensive line that includes 6-4, 280-pound Jake Bernstein (6-4, 269), who this week committed to Vanderbilt, and Fahn Cooper (6-6, 300), who has made a verbal commitment to Bowling Green. Cooper makes the switch to right tackle this season after starting at defensive end as a junior. The meaty O-line also includes Phil Hespen (6-4, 290) and Andy Garces (5-11, 250). "We are big, and that's a great thing for a new coach coming in," said former defensive coordinator Chuck Ahsmann, who replaces Jim Stuglis as the Gators' head coach. "Those guys aren't big, fat guys; they're big, strong guys." Grant coach Kurt Rous knows the challenge his team faces. "I wouldn't say they're looking past us, but I don't think they're too worried about us," Rous said. "We gave them a pretty good game last year, so that's what we're going to try to do (again). The more we stay with them, the more we put doubt in their minds, I think the better off we're going to be." ... Grant's option attack is operated by speedy senior Leo Minne, who moves from wingback to quarterback.

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