CL Central powers past Grayslake C.
Grayslake Central's winless football team was neck and neck with undefeated Crystal Lake Central early on Friday night at Owen Metcalf Field in Crystal Lake.
Trailing 7-0 in the second quarter and facing a first-and-goal at their 7-yard line, the Rams kept the Tigers and their power rushing attack out of the end zone with a terrific goal-line stand.
However, two plays later, Rams quarterback Kevin O'Rourke was intercepted deep in Rams territory, leading to a Tiger touchdown and setting the wheels in motion for a 46-7 Crystal Lake Central victory in each team's Fox Valley Fox Division opener.
"That was a big momentum shift back to them and they were able to score," said Rams coach Nick Goshen. "When you can't move the ball offensively very well, you're in trouble."
Crystal Lake Central (5-0) was led by running back Anthony Niemo's rushing and receiving efforts. Niemo (13 carries, 117 yards) tallied 4 touchdowns, including two on 17- and 12-yard runs, respectively, in the first half.
After the Tiger band played a rendition of Jimi Hendrix's "Fire" at halftime, Niemo provided another spark three plays into the second half with a 51-yard touchdown run. He followed up with a 32-yard touchdown catch from Connor Buxton on the Tigers' next possession.
"It's one of those things where Anthony is one heck of a football player, and anytime he touches the ball, he could be gone," Crystal Lake Central coach Jon McLaughlin said of Niemo.
Fullback Adam Smith (10 carries, 74 yards) and halfback Ryan Hines scored for the Tigers on 2-yard runs.
Grayslake Central (0-5) punched in a late score via Cassidy Melton's 13-yard scamper. Sophomore running back Will Reed, who played in both the sophomore and varsity games, was the Rams' leader on the ground with 25 yards on 2 carries.
"There are some pluses outside of what the final score read," said Goshen. "We just have to close the gap a bit more than what I think it is right now."
Carmel 50, Marian Catholic 7: The visiting Corsairs exploded early and often in the East Suburban Catholic Conference game.
Then it was the host Spartans' turn. It was their homecoming.
"They had fireworks afterward," Corsairs coach Andy Bitto said. "We like that."
Carmel (4-1, 2-1) had fun all night, in truth, building a 50-0 lead by halftime on Marian Catholic's new turf field to make the long bus ride to Chicago Heights well worth the trip.
Senior running back Mike Taylor rushed for 210 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he didn't play the second half. He was coming off a 188-yard effort on the ground against Benet.
Eric Stevenson had 92 rushing yards in the first quarter alone, as the Corsairs amassed, in total, 337 yards on the ground.
Tight end Jack Baucus caught his first pass of the season, an 8-yard touchdown toss from Andrew Nerup.
"I was real proud of the kids," Bitto said, "because the last time we made a long trip (to Marist two weeks ago) it was kind of a (stinker)."