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Lyons lineman Daniel Kram matches up pound for pound
Lyons Township's Daniel Kram
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Updated: October 14, 2012 12:58PM
GLEN ELLYN — Lyons senior Daniel Kram doesn’t possess the typical size of an offensive lineman these days.
His coach, Kurt Weinberg, doesn’t care.
“He’s strong,” Weinberg said. “He’s a good weight room kid. He’s always been aggressive, but after a couple of years in the weight room, he’s put on enough strength to be on the varsity field. He’s worked his way into a starting position. He is a great kid and has done a great job.”
The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Kram is part of an experienced, talented offensive line for the Lions.
He put in the effort necessary to earn a starting spot in his final high school season.
“It means a lot to be out here playing,” Kram said. “I was in the weight room every day, working really hard. The whole offensive line did. It pays off but we have a lot more work to do.”
While Kram may not stack up size-wise with fellow linemen Nick Demes (6-4, 270), Carlo Rallo (6-1, 220), Quinn Cappetta (5-9, 250) and Matt Wennerstrum (6-4, 275), he has earned the respect of his teammates.
“He’s a great player,” Demes said. “He worked his butt off in the offseason.”
Demes, who made a verbal commitment to play at the University of Pennsylvania next season, is a two-year starter.
He was giving advice to Demes during halftime of Saturday’s 49-7 loss to Glenbard West.
“Nick has a lot of knowledge and is a big help,” Kram said. “It’s nice to have a veteran next to me on the line. It helps my confidence out there on the field.”
Kram uses technique and smarts to hold off bigger defensive linemen.
He also doesn’t view his size as a disadvantage.
“I think I have good footwork and football knowledge,” Kram said. “I know where to be at the right time. I try to stay low for leverage and use my height to my advantage.”
Lyons’ offense averaged 33 points in its first two games before losing at Glenbard West (3-0, 1-0) Saturday. The Lions (2-1, 0-1) face another stern challenge Friday when they host unbeaten Downers Grove North at 7:30 p.m.
Even in the loss, the Lions racked up 348 yards of total offense, including 257 passing yards by quarterback Zach Mahoney.
“We don’t want to be known as a passing team, we want to be known as a team that can do all phases of the game,” Kram said. “As an offensive lineman, we want to be able to run the ball, pass the ball and do everything. Passing is one of our strengths, but we want to improve on our running game as well.”
