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Grayslake Central opts for optimism

A year after a new head coach brought in a new offensive scheme, Grayslake Central’s football team seeks a return to the good ol’ days.

Remember 2011 and 2010?

Those playoff seasons for the Rams might have seemed like ancient history to them by late fall last year. After an Opening Night win over Round Lake, Grayslake Central triumphed only one other time — in Week 5 against Johnsburg. Neither Round Lake nor Johnsburg won a game last season.

It was the Rams’ worst season since they went 1-8 in 2008.

But that’s old news. Second-year head coach Ben Ault is confident his Rams have improved and learned from their struggles last year. A 2-7 record left a bad taste in their mouth, so the players rededicated themselves to hitting the weight room, Ault said.

The coach also remains confident in the option offense, which the Rams put in last season. And with the return of quarterback Alex Lennartz, who missed the second half of last season with a knee injury, there is optimism.

“We’re looking a lot better than we did last year,” Ault said. “Any time you switch offenses, you always have growing pains. These kids having that second year in the system makes a huge difference in knowing what they’re doing and having confidence in what they’re doing. They had the opportunity in the off-season to work on things.”

Since last season, Lennartz has had the chance to heal and grow. He tore his meniscus in Week 4, had surgery and was shut down. He was healthy enough to play the entire basketball season, and the 6-foot-5 athlete is ready for his senior season of football.

“He got in the weight room and is a lot faster and stronger,” Ault said. “He went to some camps, and he’s really improved. We’re looking for big things from him.

“There are a couple of things I like about Alex,” Ault added. “One is that he can throw the ball pretty well, and that’s something that at the end of last year we weren’t as good at. I think that’s important because when you want to run the ball, you still got to be able to throw the ball to make teams pay for putting too many guys in the box. I like his work ethic. He really wants to be better. He asks a lot of questions and he watches film. He does the things that quarterbacks need to do — not just at the basic level, but trying to know things a little more advanced so that he can anticipate things that are going to happen on the field. And you always want your quarterback to be a little bit of a natural leader, and I think he brings that, as well.”

Lennartz has some speedy options in the backfield. Senior Kacey Adams and junior Cam Schwartz are both track athletes. Adams, who started last season, ran on the Rams’ state championship-winning 800-meter relay last spring. Junior Jaron Armiger, Winslow Powell and senior Drew Garbett will share fullback responsibilities.

“We have three (fullbacks) who can do three different things,” Ault said. “It’s nice to have that flexibility.”

Jacob Vargo, who missed all of last season with an injury, and veteran Matt Loeffl give Lennartz a pair of good-sized, athletic targets at wide receiver. Wrestler Tim Engdahl and Maurice Merrell will also play wide receiver.

Veteran center Ryan Aoki will anchor the offensive line. Spencer Hirt started as a sophomore last year, while Ben Celeslie also played a lot last season. Diego Quezada and Eamon Peterson round out the probable starting five up front.

“We’re looking for a big push from them,” Ault said. “We got quite a bit of experience with those kids, so we’re really expecting big things from them.”

The defensive line returns a pair of starters in Garbett and fellow senior Erik Infante. Senior Matt Bartman will play nose tackle. Loeffl will man an outside linebacker spot. Armiger has also been getting reps. Aoki will line up at inside linebacker along with junior Billy Barrett, who got a “ton stronger and bigger,” Ault said.

The candidates to start at safety include Vargo, Schwartz and senior Carson Neely. Adams and Engdahl could be the starting cornerbacks.

“We have quite a few players going both ways, but sometimes that’s the way it goes,” Ault said. “You want to give yourself the best opportunity and get the guys out there that can get it done.”

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