Lakes can't keep pace against Crystal Lake Central
It took a fourth-quarter comeback effort from the Lakes Eagles last week to find the lead against Grayslake North.
On Friday night at Polley Field, the Eagles found the lead early, only to be outlasted and outrun by a strong Crystal Lake Central squad 30-14.
After a Andres Calle fumble recovery, Lakes (1-1) raced down the field on a 8-play, 87 yard drive, capped by quarterback Justin Hotle's 1-yard sneak for a 6-0 lead.
As quickly as the Eagles grabbed the lead, Crystal Lake Central (2-0) did one better, taking only 7 plays to tie the score at 6-6. Running back Anthony Niemo (15 carries, 100 yards) scored from 4 yards out and accounted for 47 of the 78 yards on the drive.
The Tigers then went on to score the next 24 points behind a power running game that worn down Lakes.
"They're (Crystal Lake Central) a very good team. When you play a very good team and you don't move the ball well offensively, you put your defense in bad spots, and that's what happened tonight," said Lakes coach Luke Mertens.
Fullback Ryan Smyth led the Tigers all rushers with 106 yards on the ground to go along with 2 short touchdown runs. Quarterback Connor Buxton also amassed 80 rushing yards and a score.
Offensively, the Eagles ended on a positive note, grabbing a late fourth-quarter touchdown on a 9 yard scamper by running back Josh Gaido (17 carries, 92 yards). Quarterback Zach Percival then successfully tossed a 2-point conversion to B.J. Crichton.
Mertens was pleased that Percival bounced back from an early interception.
"He looked real good. That's one thing I've been preaching to these guys, to have a short-term memory. Mistakes are going to happen. He did a great job of putting together that last drive."
Now the Eagles are focused on divisional play in the North Suburban Prairie Division.
"We're expecting it every week to be a battle. There are some really good football teams in the Prairie. We've got one next Friday, and we are going to come ready to play, every single week."