Football: Post-Meyer Elk Grove is thriving

Updated: May 9, 2012 9:59AM

When Nick Meyer headed out to play quarterback at South Dakota after passing for more than 3,200 yards and 40 touchdowns last season, people were wondering whether Elk Grove would struggle without him.

They have their answer, and it’s a resounding no. The No. 21 Grenadiers, 10-1 heading into the Class 7A game Saturday at No. 7 Lake Zurich (9-2), are making only the third quarterfinal appearance in program history. It’s also the first time Elk Grove has made three consecutive trips to the IHSA playoffs.

Meyer was clearly the Grenadiers’ main man last season — he also had 50 tackles as a defensive back — but this is less of a one-man show.

“We’re not a team of stars,” Elk Grove coach Brian Doll said. “We’re a bunch of grinders.”

Foremost among them is senior Dejan Basara, who has returned after being sidelined by a broken collarbone in Week 4. Basara was a starting outside linebacker last season, but he began this year as a starter at quarterback and linebacker besides handling the kicking and long-snapping duties.

While Basara was hurt, sophomore Adam O’Malley filled in at quarterback. Now they share those duties, with Basara shifting to tight end when O’Malley is taking snaps.

“It’s nice to have both of them,” Doll said. “We would have never gotten to this situation if Dejan had never gotten hurt.”

Basara, like Meyer, is always a threat to run and rushed for three touchdowns in the win over Harlem last week. But he’s more of a power runner, with Fernando Lozano providing the quickness to the Grenadiers’ attack.

“He’s the fastest kid on our team,” Doll said of Lozano, a receiver who also takes occasional snaps in a Wildcat formation.

And he’s not the only elite athlete. Doll projects junior defensive lineman and offensive tackle Dan Egan, a 6-2, 235-pounder, as a Division I recruit next season.

“He’s just dominating right now,’’ Doll said. ‘‘His film is going to look good.”

The Grenadiers are looking good as a team, with a Mid-Suburban East title and a nine-game winning streak to their credit. And anyone still doubting their staying power may be surprised.

“The thing that will shock people the most is when we line up, and they see how many juniors and sophomores are playing,” Doll said.

Maybe after a few more years like this, people won’t be caught off guard by the Grenadiers’ success anymore.

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