Prospect's big additions up front

Big physical gains may be the most outwardly noticeable difference that took Payton Eckert and Zach Lewis from the sideline to the front line of the Prospect offense.

But other aspects played just as big of a part in Eckert and Lewis becoming key cogs in another prolific Prospect offense going into Friday's Mid-Suburban East football title showdown at Elk Grove.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Lewis gained more than just 40 pounds to earn a starting tackle spot.

“For me it was the mental aspect and it was a confidence thing, Lewis said. “I didn't really believe in myself and my abilities. I know I have the ability and now I'm using it.

The 6-5, 260-pound Eckert also did more than just put on close to 50 pounds to earn a job as a starting guard.

“My junior year I wasn't very intense in the way I played, Eckert said. “I showed some skill in the things I did, but I was very far from what they needed a varsity lineman to be like.

There is no question any longer that Lewis and Eckert belong with Anthony Babicz, Matt Boll and Dan Panicko. Elk Grove coach Brian Doll said “I don't know if I've seen a better O-line in all my years of coaching.

It's paved the way to a prolific running game with quarterback Steve Dazzo, Peter Bonahoom and Grant DePalma.

“A lot of people give a lot of credit to Steve, Pete and Grant, said Prospect coach Brent Pearlman, “but the personality of the offense always starts with the offensive line.

“If the offensive line isn't as close and they don't get along and love playing with each other you never get the right feeling. Payton and Lew are definitely in the nucleus of that movement to be as tight a unit as they possibly can be.

Being on the inside of that was a big motivator to Lewis and Eckert. Pearlman said ability and potential wasn't an issue with two guys who started playing on the line in the third grade.

“If you need to improve we're going to let you know, Pearlman said. “To those guys' credit, we made it very clear to them they needed to improve and they didn't pout about it. Their work ethic in the off-season was unbelievable.

Lewis said he took two weeks off after last season ended and started with strength and speed training.

“I thought about what I wanted to do in high school, Lewis said. “I knew I wanted to start and I knew what kind of lineman I wanted to be.

Eckert's training included a lot to improve his footwork. He also decided to make a change from throwing a baseball to a shot put and discus after talking with Prospect football and track assistant Joe Rupslauk.

“He told me track could help me and that I could play Division I football, Eckert said. “I never even took that into account. I was just looking to be a varsity lineman.

“When he told me I could be a Division I football player it really struck me and changed my thinking.

So even though he was hampered by an arm injury in track, Eckert was able to start forming bonds with linemates he didn't have last season.

“Off the field we're always together, Lewis said.

“This year it feels like a really tight group with the entire offense, Eckert said.

Both of them hope to continue playing after this season while studying business in college. Eckert said his grades have improved this year to go with his 33 ACT and Lewis has a 4.0 grade-point-average.

And they believe the Knights are capable of even more after scoring 62 points in last week's win over Wheeling.

“Who knows, maybe we've reached our potential but I don't think we have, Eckert said.

“You always try to be better and be perfect, Lewis said. “Every week we make steps to do that.

Eckert and Lewis already took giant steps in that direction.