Alex Art can’t contain his excitement about Grant’s upcoming football season.
The senior linebacker/wide receiver said he has been waiting for this moment to become a leader for the Bulldogs.
But Art’s enthusiasm is amplified by the program’s theme of a new start of sorts this season. The football field is in the final stages of a renovation that includes the installation of new turf, which replaces the old FieldTurf.
“As a team, the new field really has us hyped up to play,” Art said. “Every year, we’ve been excited to play, but not as much as this year. For me, the new field symbolizes a new beginning for Grant football.
“All of the losing seasons are behind us, and I feel our team also feels the same way. We have the most potential in years. Our mindset is we want to make every season on that field a winning season and a playoff season.”
The turf installation is expected to be completed by the end of the week, in time for the start of official practices Aug. 9. The Bulldogs, who finished 3-3 in the abbreviated spring season, will host Mundelein in their Aug. 27 opener.
Grant athletic director Thomas Ross said the turf project was the result of a settlement with the state of Illinois.
“We recently received funds from the state of Illinois as a result of the litigation connected to the existing field,” he said. “We’re happy to report that the settlement will be utilized to finance the new turf. Administrators, coaches, and site and facility committee members were all involved in the selection and design of the new field.
“The entire Grant Community High School community will benefit from this project, from the athletic department, physical education department, marching band, athletes, students and our competitors.”
Grant coach Chris Robinson said the program is embracing his philosophy of a new start.
“It’s a fresh feeling,” he said. “It’s a good way for the freshman class to start and for the seniors to end their careers. We’re all excited. This is a new phase for us. Our FieldTurf had run its course. We saw Round Lake put in a new field last year. They have a really nice field. This gives our seniors a chance to finish out their careers by starting a new chapter with the program.”
Robinson said the Bulldogs were forced to adapt in July, when they weren’t able to use their main field for workouts. They used the grass field behind the bleachers.
Art said the new field is motivating the returning players to maximize their potential and produce a winning season.
“We all feel like it’s a clean slate,” he said. “I feel great about our team this year and about Grant football for many years.”
The Bulldogs also enter a new era in terms of personnel. They have a big hole in all three phases of the game following the graduation of John Bolton, who filled the stat sheet the past three seasons and is a freshman at Augustana College.
“It’s given a lot of other kids an opportunity to step in and fill his shoes,” Robinson said. “Alex Art is a really good leader and leads by example and has the work ethic that allows him to push others. Dylan Sjong is also one of our leaders at defensive back and wide receiver. Blake Cook and Lars Miller are both returning offensive linemen who bring experience and can show others how to work through drills.
“We’re focusing on a quick turnaround. Our numbers are a little down, but we’re responding to how the season went in the spring and what we needed to do to improve. It’s been impressive to see how they’ve responded.”
Art said the Bulldogs are ready for the challenge.
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“I’ve been impressed with our chemistry since we’re so young,” he said. “I feel our sophomores will make a huge impact this season. We’ve (installed) a great scheme this year to switch it up on offense and defense to make it much harder on our opponents this season compared to last season.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.