Grayslake High School Students Recognized For Gridiron Excellence

Players from both Grayslake High Schools were recognized for their outstanding play last season.

Grayslake Central

The  made the playoffs for the second year in a row and won a share of the conference title for the first time since 1970.

Head Coach Nick Goshe revived a long dormant football program and set it on the path of success. This year’s squad broke numerous school records on offense as individuals and as a team. These players were honored for their efforts.

• Academic All State: Ray Beckman, Charlie Risinger and Jake Paust
• Honorable Mention All State: Joey Valdivia
• 1st Team All County: Ray Beckman and Joey Valdivia
• Honorable Mention All County: Jake Paust, Jimmy Molitor, Kristian Meehan, Steve Moioffer, Stephen Burgess and Charlie Risinger

"To have so many kids named to the all-conference team is a tribute to the character of these kids, their families, and the community," said Goshe.

"This senior class as a whole was tremendous," he added. "Their attitude and effort all season was unbelievable and the team’s overall results reflected that. To my knowledge they leave school as the winningest class in the school’s history having never had a losing season at any level. Individually and team stat-wise, the record books were basically re-written."

Senior quarterback Ray Beckman was an extremely efficient passer who knew when to tuck and run, when to toss it out of bounds, and skillfully avoided big losses.

Beckman's pinpoint passing forced teams to switch their focus off of teammate Joey Valdivia, which made the Rams offense extremely difficult to defend against.

Senior running back Joey Valdivia proved a unique combination of balance, breakaway speed and raw power. Valdivia rushed for a school-record 1,356 yards (8.5 per carry) and found the end zone 20 times this season.

Against rival Grayslake North, Valdivia rushed for an amazing 381 yards and six scores. Valdivia has drawn interest as from Division I schools for wrestling.

"Joey has been a varsity starting running back for 3 straight years and re-wrote the record books at his position," said Goshe. 

Senior inside linebacker Kristian Meehan played with a Butkus-like fury in the middle of the defense. He shed would-be blockers like windblown newspapers and crushed ball carriers and quarterbacks with a joyous delight.

Off the field Meehan was a smiling gentleman, but on the field he was a menacing, scowling offense wrecker. Goshe said Meehan brought the attitude to the team's defense the past two seasons.

Senior outside linebacker Jake Paust showed tremendous athleticism making plays across the field. Paust was effective at disrupting the game plan of the opposing offense.

"Jake's team attitude and abilities made him indispensable for our defense," said Goshe.

Senior tight end Jimmy Molitor blocked, made great catches and was a quarterback’s nightmare playing defensive end for the Rams.

Molitor suffered a season ending knee injury against Grayslake North in Week 8, but came back strong in time for wrestling season.

Senior inside linebacker Steve Moioffer was a force in the middle of the Rams defense, playing steady yet tough against the run. 

"Steven played smart and tough all season starting on both offense and defense," Goshe said.

Senior strong safety Stephen Burgess had speed and a wide mean-streak playing in the backfield of the defense. Whether knocking down passes, making leaping interceptions or coming up to hit receivers and running backs like a runaway train, Burgess brought the wood to the battle. 

Senior offensive lineman Charlie Risinger anchored an undersized, but technically sound group of blockers for Grayslake Central. Whether firing out on a running play to open lanes for Valdivia or holding his blocks for Beckman to complete a long pass, Risinger was a rock for the Rams this season.

"Charlie has started the past two years and was the man we ran behind in all critical situations," Goshe said.

Grayslake North

The football team at  enjoyed a record-breaking season offensively, yet narrowly missed making the state playoffs.

Head Coach Steve Wood implemented an offensive scheme that his team was able to execute to break several school records. Several of the Knights were honored for their performance during the season.

• Academic All State: AJ Fish and Jake Geary
• Honorable Mention All State: AJ Fish
• 1st team All County: AJ Fish and Josh Cokefair
• Honorable Mention All County: Kasen Christensen, Jake Geary and Katie Lahera

AJ Fish, a junior quarterback standing 6'3" had a record-setting season in his second year leading the varsity offense. Fish completed 71 percent of his passes for 2,058 yards and 19 touchdowns.

He broke nearly every quarterback record at the school. It’s not hard to envision Fish as one of the top quarterbacks in the state next year.

"AJ was a very athletic QB that set numerous records in only two years of varsity play. We are really excited about having AJ back next fall for his senior year," said Wood.

Josh Cokefair, senior wide receiver, rewrote the receiving records at North with his sure hands and breakaway speed. He was a threat to score every time he touched the ball.

"Josh was a hard worker that put himself into position to have a great year and he did. He set school records in TDs, Receptions and Yards," Wood said. "He is the fastest receiver we have ever had."

Off the field Kasen Christensen can be described as a gentle giant. On the field, the 255 lb. 6'3" lineman is a force of nature showing great strength and agility while blocking and opening holes for his record-setting teammates.

"Kasen has great feet for a person his size," Wood said of the senior. "He led our offensive line in every category and set records in pancakes and finishes."

Senior Jake Geary terrorized opposing quarterbacks and receivers all season. At 5’10" and 160 lbs. he showed great heart in making plays all over the field. "Jake has a great nose for the ball," Wood said. "He will graduate with the school record for interceptions in a year and interceptions for his career."

Senior Katie Lahera was only one of a handful of female football players in Illinois. Lahera manned her kicking duties with accuracy and an extremely strong right leg.

A member of the soccer team who played club ball for the Grayslake Galaxy, Lahera knows how to put her leg into a ball and send it flying.

"Katie set every record for us, including most extra points and field goals for a single season and in a career," Wood said of the varsity kicker for the past two football seasons.