Former coach Bill Eiserman proud of Grayslake Central tradition

It seemed fitting that on Friday night Bill Eiserman was sitting in the press box that overlooks the field that bears his name.

The former Grayslake football coach guided the Rams to a conference championship in 1970.

It was the school’s last conference championship — until now.

With its 44-34 win over crosstown rival Grayslake North under the lights at William C. Eiserman Field, Grayslake Central earned no worse than a share of the Fox Valley Fox Division title. The 7-1 Rams, who are 5-1 in the Fox, would be co-champions with either Crystal Lake Central or Woodstock North or tri-champions with both depending on how those two teams fare in their Fox Division finales Friday.

And if they both lose, Grayslake Central, which is done with division play and takes on Crystal Lake South in a Fox Valley crossover Friday, would be outright champion.

Eiserman, who helped out with the football team at Central as recently as last season, taught and coached at the school for 31 years from 1957 to 1988. He was the head football coach from 1961 to 1974 and started the wrestling team there. He also coached baseball for the Rams.

Eiserman was a part of four conference championships during his tenure, two as head coach, in 1965 and 1970.

Last October, Eiserman, who also was Grayslake’s athletic director in the mid-1970s, was inducted into the Lake County Hall of Fame. He joined Jay Hook, a player with the Cincinnati Reds, as the only members from Grayslake High School.

“I was always trying to promote (Grayslake High School),” Eiserman said in an interview printed in Central’s football media guide. “This was my home away from home. If a door needed a doorknob, I bought one and put it on myself. We would dust mop the gym floor, whatever it took.

“I took a sense of great pride in Grayslake High School. I wanted everything to be right, to be big and showy and build a proud tradition.”

Eiserman couldn’t have been prouder Friday night.

Record wrecker: Speaking of a proud tradition, Grayslake Central fullback Joey Valdivia is doing his part.

On Friday night, he completely annihilated his school record for most rushing yards in a game.

The record was 221 yards, which he set as a sophomore against Streamwood. In the Rams’ win over Grayslake North, Valdivia rolled up a stunning 381 yards on 34 carries. In addition, he scored 6 touchdowns to set a school record, breaking the mark of 5 touchdowns in a game by Brian Centella in 2003.