High Expectations for Rams 2011 Football Season

The Rams last year ended up their last football season with a 6-5 record and a run in the state playoffs to the Sweet 16.

In the first round of the playoffs, Grayslake destroyed Senn 31-6. The Rams then lost to Marian Central 40-7, who was defeated 24-10 by eventual 5A state champion Montini of Lombard.

Rams head football coach Nick Goshe sees Crystal Lake Central as the favorite to win the Fox side of the conference. Hampshire has replaced last year’s Fox Champs Prairie Ridge who moved over to the Valley side of the Conference.

"They went 5-1 in conference last year losing only to Prairie Ridge and wound up 8-3 for the season," Goshe said.

There is some rebuilding needed for the Rams, after 15 seniors graduated. Some of the key players who have moved on include: Kevin Hein (GCHS Male Athlete of the Year), Vinnie Culhane (GCHS Offensive Player of the Year), Will Reed, Nick Celeslie, Conner Hirt, speedster Jahard Nelson, Jimmy Soto, Lee Brown, BJ Jennings and defensive captain Cam Neely.

Still, the Rams are not without experience or weapons.

Senior Quarterback Ray Beckman returns to run the offense along with Senior Joey Valdivia at running back who brings his unique blend of speed and power to the turf. Tight End/Defensive End Jimmy Molitor has bulked up considerably from a strenuous wrestling season this past winter and summer. Nate Malinski and Stephen Burgess are being counted on to make big plays this year. Kristian Meehan and Jake Paust both return at Linebacker to power the defense.

Seniors expected to make big contributions this year include Vince Smith, Dylan Hay, Rajneish Poyser, Steve Moioffer, Deondre Nabriet, Devon Osburn and kicker extraordinaire Jon Gurchak. Junior lineman Cameron Hosimer returns for a second year on the varsity, as well.

"Our expectations for the season are to beat Grayslake North, win the conference and win the state championship," said Goshe. "We run a pro-set offense with multiple formations because we have very intelligent kids who can understand and implement a complex scheme."

Defensively, the Rams operate out of a 3-4 base (three lineman and four linebackers) while showing multiple fronts, coverages and blitz packages to confuse the offense.

The big games in the conference include Grayslake North and the showdown with Crystal Lake Central which could well decide who wins the Fox side of the conference.

"The kids are bored right now because they are ready to go out and play an actual game," said Goshe. "The coaches have high expectations, the players do and this community does, as well."

The Rams travel to Round Lake to play their season opener tonight, Friday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Though the Panthers finished with a record of 1-6 last year, Goshe is expecting a good test for his team.

"This is probably the oldest rivalry in Lake County. It is a natural game for us to include in our schedule and something I would like to see happen every year," said Goshe. "Before Grayslake North was created, Round Lake was our biggest local rival. We would love to make this a big, fiercely contested game every year."

This season several important additions to the fans’ football experience will be featured including a new glossy souvenir media guide that will be unveiled at the first home game against Grant on September 2.

The team will also have four honorary captains to participate in the coin toss: Former Head Coach of the last Grayslake football conference champions in 1970; volunteer coach General Chuck Whittington who will be deployed in Afghanistan in the next few weeks; Principal Syd Klocke who is retiring after this year; and former Rams player and graduate Kevin Reynolds.

Each Central home football game will conclude with a special ceremony. After the teams shake hands at the end of the game, they will return to their respective sidelines. The ceremony will begin with a drum roll, and then military vets will lower the flag and fold it. A students will play the bugle, and then the drum will take over for a rocking performance to end the night.