Kuhn steps up big-time for Bears in opener

Updated: August 30, 2011 6:49PM

He’s got the look of a quarterback.

In fact, he’s the prototype. Steven Kuhn checks in at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds.

The Lake Zurich High School senior also has the skills to match: strong arm, good mobility, solid leadership.

And following Friday night’s season-opening 35-3 win at Fremd, Kuhn just might be ... the best No. 2 QB in the state.

With all-conference quarterback Zach Till sidelined with a sprained ankle, Kuhn made the most of his opportunity against the host Vikings. In the first half, he ran for two touchdowns and threw for one: a 6-yard dart to Grant Soucy in the right corner of the end zone.

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

Kuhn said he felt the love.

“I knew the team, the coaches and the community believed in me,” he said.

His impressive outing didn’t surprise Bears head coach Bryan Stortz.

“He’s been a quarterback all of his life,” Stortz said. “He’s been learning our offense all summer long. I thought he did a great job.”

Kuhn’s first big moment came at the end of LZ’s second series. Following an inteception by safety Chris Rantis on a tipped pass, Kuhn capped off a six-play, 18-yard drive by sprinting to the left side and slipping into the end zone from five yards out.

That effort proved to be no fluke.

With 8:33 remaining in the first half, Kuhn engineered six-play, 35-yard touchdown drive. And for the second time, he concluded the possession with a 3-yard keeper to the left side.

“Basically, the same play,” Kuhn said. “I got a huge block by (senior fullback) Mike Shield. I just lowered my shoulder and drove my legs.”

The Bears also took advantage of great field possession on their final touchdown of the first half, when Jack Lynn intercepted a pass and ran it back to the Fremd 27-yard line. Two plays later, on a timing pass, Kuhn delivered a six-yard TD toss to Soucy.

“Once he made his break, I had to get the ball to him right on time,” Kuhn said.

Kuhn’s final numbers were not eye-popping, but solid: 9-for-13 passing for 61 yards; 13 carries for 29 yards. He also was successful on a fake punt on the first play of the second quarter, when the Bears downed the ball at the Fremd 1-yard line. It led to the LZ’s second TD.

There’s a good chance Till will be ready for Friday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff against visiting Cary-Grove. No matter, Kuhn said that he will be ready if called upon.

“Whatever the coaches decide, I’m good with,” said Kuhn, whose ultimate goal is to play quarterback at the next level. “I just want to try and benefit the team as much as I can, whether I play QB, left tackle or free safety. I play for my team. That’s how it is with all of our guys. That’s the mentality around Lake Zurich football.”

Welcome back

He made an immediate impact.

Junior fullback Connor Schrader, who moved back to Lake Zurich after living in the Peoria area for several years, led all rushers with a 141 yards on 13 carries.

The 5-10, 190-pounder also saw time on defense. He recorded an eight-yard sack late in the second quarter.

“He could be a big weapon,” Stortz said. “He comes out here to play. He’s not going to lay down.”

Schrader’s best run of the night was bittersweet, when he ripped off a 70-yard run midway through the fourth quarter. On his way to the end zone, the ball slipped out of his grasp. The Vikings recovered the fumble at their own 7-yard line.

Shield, an honorable mention all-NSC selection last year, also had a big night. He finished with 106 yards on 10 carries. In the third quarter, he scored on a 1-yard run and with a 66-yard scamper.

“Two incredible players,” said Kuhn, referring to Shield and Schrader. “And two of hardest workers on the team. They’re out there trying to get as many yards as they can. That’s what I loved about them.”

Hustling Hussey

University of Minnesota recruit Jack Lynn, of course, is the most celebrated player on Lake Zurich’s defense. And No. 14 certainly stood out. Lynn led the Bears with eight tackles, including a quarterback sack early in the second quarter, and he had the key pick just before intermission.

But No. 67 — William Hussey — no doubt gets a hustle award. He was in Fremd’s backfield all night, recording a 1-yard tackle for loss and a 7-yard quarterback sack. He finished with five tackles.

“Our coaches teach us to hustle to the ball,” Hussey said. “We’re always trying to make the big play.”

Hussey is not big — 5-8, 175 — for a defensive lineman, but the senior possesses a lightninq-quick first step.

He also showed his speed on the first punt of the game, racing downfield to down the ball at Fremd’s 4-yard line.

“On that play, it just so happened that no one lined up in front of me,” Hussey said. “We’ve got nine gunners on our (punt coverage) team.”

Stat sheet

The Bears, who featured Mark Weber, Evan Williams, Jerry Bauer, Matt Schirmann and Jack Sweeney on the O-line, wound up with 310 total yards and 17 first downs. Leading receivers were Brandon Markert (4 catches, 27 yards), John Orlando (2 catches, 15 yards) and Soucy (2 catches, 14 yards).

On defense, Rantis was the second leading tackler (7). Zach Johnson had an interception. William Blase had a fumble recovery.

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