Backup shines for Lake Zurich

Updated: August 27, 2011 12:10AM

It was a night for him to shine. With standout quarterback Zach Till sidelined with a sprained ankle, senior reserve Steve Kuhn stepped up in a big way in Friday’s opening game at Fremd.

The Bears, who were the IHSA Class 7A state runner-ups last fall, benefited from some impressive play by their backup and took down the host Vikings 35-3.

Kuhn, who certainly looked the part of a QB (six-foot four, 200) quickly showed what he could do. In the first half, he rushed for two touchdowns (5 and 3-yard keepers) and threw for one; 6- yard dart to Grant Soucy in the right corner of the endzone.

“It was an unfortunate situation when Zach got hurt (in Friday’s scrimmage) I had to step up big,” said Kuhn, who would have been a starting wide receiver. “I had to step up big.”

The Bears finished the game with 279 yards rushing. Transfer Connor Schrader led all rushers with 141 yards on 13 carries. And three-year starter Mike Shield finished with 106 yards and 2 touchdowns, measuring 66 yards and 1 yard.

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