An unknown only two months ago, Highland Park junior quarterback Gustav Crane is already playing like a sure thing.
With this polished version of Crane, a first-year starter, the Giants’ offense enters the postseason as a matchup problem for opponents.
“The reps I got last year definitely helped prepare me,” he said. “I was obviously a little nervous with me taking my first varsity snaps. But then as the weeks went on, I settled into the season.”
Highland Park’s offensive output has mirrored the 6-foot, 195-pound Crane’s progress. On Friday, he completed 7 of 10 pass attempts for 127 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a touchdown as the playoff-bound Giants routed Maine East 49-0 on the road to secure their first Central Suburban North title since 2017.
Highland Park (7-2, 5-0) scored 21 points in a season-opening win over Leyden, and that remains the low-water mark for an offense that averaged 38.2 points in conference play.
The Giants’ game plan against Maine East (0-9, 0-5) was revealed early. Crane’s first three passes were long shots downfield. The third try connected, for 36 yards to junior wide receiver Zion Wood, and junior running back Jayden Corchado scored on a 1-yard plunge on the next play for the first of his two touchdowns.
“Put them away early — that’s always what we try to do, especially against a team we should win against,” Crane said. “It’s a fun way to come out of the gates — start fast and keep the pressure on.”
It helps that the Giants have senior wide receiver Lucas Gordon, who surpassed 2,000 career yards in the previous game. Crane found Gordon in the end zone on easy pitch-and-catch plays on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 28-0. Crane put a capper on the starters’ contributions just before halftime with a 6-yard touchdown run.
Crane actually leads the team in rushing, which doesn’t surprise his coaches. His improved passing has made him a dual-threat quarterback.
“He worked incredibly hard during the offseason and has become a significantly better passer,” Highland Park coach Anthony Kopp said. “We always knew that he’d be a good runner, but he worked on his craft throwing. He sees the field really well and does a good job staying calm under pressure. He’s grown a ton.”
On that point, Crane agrees with Kopp.
“I didn’t play much last year, so I didn’t know what I was capable of,” Crane said. “I really showed what I could do and found who I am. I can make throws, and I really found myself as a leader, that I could lead a team. That’s the main thing I learned.”
Crane recognizes he still needs to become more vocal. But if he continues to play at such a high level, the Giants will continue to fall in line behind him — during the playoffs and then next season.
“He’s gotten a ton better, and you could see it in how hard he worked over the summer,” Highland Park junior two-way starter Max Stevens said. “He put in a lot of work. It’s great to see how well he’s playing, and we’re confident with him as our quarterback.”
Part of Crane’s focus in the offseason was getting repetitions. He also worked on throwing more efficiently.
“I’ve played baseball my whole life (as a catcher and pitcher), so arm strength is not the problem,” Crane said. “During the spring and summer, I’d always throw to my receivers on the weekends and after practices. I also train by myself with my trainer, and that was a lot about technique. I needed to learn how to throw the ball.”
During the season, Crane has learned that the Giants’ defense can play just as well. The starting unit hasn’t allowed a point in conference games.
“It definitely helped me that I could trust my defense, and it really helped my confidence, knowing that I still need to do my best but that I have the defense to fall back on,” Crane said.
Crane also points to the Giants’ two losses, which were back-to-back close games against Schaumburg and Conant.
“We knew we should have won both of those games,” he said. “But we learned from them, and looking back, it was good for us because it forced us to bounce back.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
