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Stauner, Schrader shine in LZ victory
Lake Zurich's Connor Schrader (left) runs into Fremd defender Jonathan Van Duch during Friday's home opener. Schrader rushed for 109 yards on the night. | Buzz Orr~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 1, 2012 4:09PM
LAKE ZURICH
All aspects of the offense were humming — starting with the architect.
Jake Stauner put together an impressive debut as the Lake Zurich High School starting quarterback. The senior rolled up 113 yards rushing on 11 carries to help the Bears beat visiting Fremd 21-0 on Friday night.
While Bears coach Dave Proffitt knows Stauner has room for improvement, the opening act certainly received a passing grade.
“Jake kept the offense on the field as long as possible, which is the best defense you can have,” said Proffitt, a varsity assistant at LZ for five seasons before taking the top job this season. “He was an integral part in why we won the game.”
Stauner, who contributed a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, kept the Vikings guessing with a series of misdirection plays. Many of his handoffs wound up in the capable hands of Connor Schrader. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound senior collected 109 yards on 26 carries, including a 3-yard TD run in the second quarter.
Frankly, the Vikings had no answer for this 1-2 punch.
“Any time you get two players rushing for over 100 yards, your chances of being successful are pretty good,” Proffitt noted.
The ball-control offense thrived behind the blocking of center Jack Sweeney, guards Matt Schirmann and Aaron Hussey and tackles Matt Michael and Jerry Bauer.
Proffitt pointed to a simple stat in assessing the performance of his line.
“We gained over 200 yards rushing the football,” said Proffitt, whose Bears finished with 241 yards on the ground. “That (blocking of the line) was key for Jake and Connor to have as many yards as they did.”
Gadget play: The Bears used a little trickery to bump the lead to 21-0 in the fourth quarter. The club lined up for a 36-yard field goal attempt by Steven Walcott, but holder Matt Moon kept the ball and lofted a 19-yard touchdown pass to Colton Moskal.
Proffitt insisted the move was not a trick play.
“The fake field goal is part of our offense,” he said.
Moon, who is the Bears’ backup quarterback, spotted Moskal in the corner of the end zone.
“Colton was covered well, but Moon made a nice throw,” Proffitt said. “Moon put the ball only where Moskal could catch it. Both of them
executed the play very well.”
Eleven hats: The Vikings managed only 162 yards against a stingy LZ defense. Proffitt emphasized the performance was a team effort.
“The most important thing is the defense had a shutout,” he said. “Everyone contributed.”
The Bears forced a trio of turnovers. Grant Soucy and Sam Walstrum collected interceptions, while Tanner Kiser recovered a fumble that was forced by the hit of Colton Wagner.
On the schedule: The competition steps up a few notches on Aug. 31 when the Bears visit Cary-Grove (7:30 p.m.). The Trojans, who beat Lake Zurich 10-7 in Week 2 last fall, opened the 2012 campaign with a 49-33 win over St. Charles East.
“Their offense is very good,” said Proffitt of the Trojans.
The Bears coach insisted his players are not focusing on trying to avenge last year’s loss to Cary-Grove.
“We do not draw any motivation from what happened a year ago,” Proffitt said. “Our motivation comes from trying to get better each week and trying to win a football game.” ~.
