Scouting Grayslake Central: Rams look to seniors for winning formula

Grayslake Central wide receiver Nick Paul believes he and quarterback Ben Vogeler have developed chemistry on the field.

"I'm feeling it this year," said Paul, who like Vogeler started as a junior last season. "Vogeler and I are going to do something. I feel this connection."

Considering the Rams graduated 28 players, developing chemistry as a group could go a long way in determining what kind of 2018 campaign is in store for a team that went 3-6 a year ago, after winning just once in Jason Schaal's first three seasons as head coach.

"We were very senior-dominated on offense last year, and the kids did a lot of great things," Schaal said. "Some of the kids got reps, just not as many."

Paul and Vogeler are two of the 14 seniors on Schaal's roster and showed ability last season. Sam Lennartz entered his senior season last year as the Rams' starting quarterback, but he injured his ankle on Opening Night, was replaced by Vogeler and never got back to full strength. Vogeler and Paul, who started the season as a wide receiver, eventually split time at QB.

"Ben probably throws a better ball," Schaal said. "Nick's an athlete - and I'm not saying that Ben's not an athlete. Ben has more experience in the system (as a QB). Nick has the ability to break a play."

Paul (5-9, 160), who scored 5 touchdowns last year calls himself a receiver. He played defensive back on varsity as a sophomore and could see time in the secondary this season. He combined for more than 900 yards passing, receiving and rushing last year.

"I do what I have to do for the team," Paul said. "Receiver is my position and the position I like to play, but I do like to play quarterback sometimes."

Vogeler (6-0, 155) knows he has a weapon in the speedy Paul, who made All-Northern Lake County Conference Second Team last year.

"He normally finds the open spot and I'll just throw it to him," Vogeler said. "It's pretty easy for me. ... He's got good hands. He's really quick. Good footwork. His footwork gets him open."

The Rams return only one offensive lineman in senior Daniel Paev. If they operate similar to last year, they'll play at a high tempo and spread.

"Offensively, we're doing the same scheme, same system," Schaal said. "We're going to look at what plays we can run that best suit our kids, but we know we're new."

The Rams' overall numbers aren't great, so several linemen figure to play both ways.

Defensively, the Rams graduated their two starting cornerbacks and two starting safeties, but the front seven returns. Included are seniors Austin Wagner, Jimmy Hinkley, Drew Dziura and Joey Murphy, all of whom played regularly as sophomores two years ago. Linebackers Dziura and Murphy were named All-NLCC First Team last year.

"We have a lot of potential," Dziura said. "We're just working hard and are ready to go."

The defense also includes returning juniors Bradley Burns, Ethan Richardson and Brendon Veenstra, and the senior Paev.

"I think our offense is going to do well. We continue to improve every year," Schaal said. "But our strength is going to be our defense because of the experience (the seniors on the front seven) have. They got 18 varsity games. They've been through it. They understand it, and they've been great leaders."