Woodstock North shuts out Grayslake Central

Zero is a number that has many different meanings.

Heading into Thursday’s night Fox Valley Fox division matchup with host Woodstock North, the Grayslake Central Rams sported a cool 6-0 record.

At the end of this contest, the Rams still had a zero, but not the one they wanted. On Thursday, it denoted the points scored by Graysalke Central as the host Thunder rolled to a 25-0 victory.

“They (Woodstock North) were the better team tonight,” said Grayslake Central coach Nick Goshe. “From top to bottom, there was not one facet of the game that did not beat us. If you lose all facets of the game, you are going to be blown out, and that is exactly what you saw here tonight.”

Woodstock North (5-2, 4-1 in Fox division) took the game’s opening drive 65 yards for a score as running back Ryan Wade (18 carries for 80 yards) ran it in from 1 yard out.

The Rams’ offense stalled due to penalties and a Joey Valdivia fumble set up another Thunder scoring drive as Ryan Haimbaugh (14 carries, game-high 96 yards) took it in from 7 yards out to extend the lead to 12-0.

It was more of the same for the Rams (6-1, 4-1 Fox Division) in the second half as Ray Beckman was picked off by his counterpart at quarterback, Brian Loftin. Four plays later, Ben Medlicott extended the Thunder lead with a 12-yard touchdown run.

Wade added a second touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

“Our kids came to play,” said Woodstock North coach Jeff Schroeder. “They wanted to get it done. A lot is to be said about their determination and they just worked their butts off.”

Valdivia led the Rams with 83 yards rushing.