Grayslake C. seniors have their moments

Cassidy Melton and Kendall Smith used senior night for one of their best moments of the year for Grayslake Central football on Friday night.

Melton set a Rams record by scoring on a 98-yard run and Smith made a one-handed catch which led to a Nick Manich 33-yard field goal.

Their efforts, however, were overshadowed by Johnsburg, which marched past host Grayslake Central 51-16 in a Fox Valley Fox Division game in Grayslake.

Melton broke loose in the fourth quarter with his big run.

"I got the ball, the blockers did a great job and it was off to the races," said Melton, a three-sport athlete who also tackles wrestling and track. "I really didn't expect to break the record. I was pumped when I got the ball and I was gone. It was a great feeling to score. You only have four seasons, and to do it on senior night, it was a great night to do it."

Smith also made a spectacular one-handed catch on a 15-yard pass play from back up quarterback Mike Gentile (12 of 17 for 90 yards) who filled in for starter Kevin O'Rourke, who was out with a concussion. It happened in the second quarter for the Rams (0-7, 0-3).

"I was just looking at it and thought it might be intercepted," Smith said. "So I had to catch that one. I was using my fingertips to get it. I knew it was close to me. So, I tipped it to myself on a couple of touches. I was able to pull it in."

Justin Squillo hauled in a 15-yard touchdown pass from Gentile for the other Rams score.

The Skyhawks improved to 3-4 and 2-1 in Fox Division play, but it was a lot to handle for the Rams.

"Johnsburg hasn't been stopped all year," Grayslake coach Nick Goshe said. "They've got a very dynamic offense. (C.J.) Fiedorowicz is very talented and we had problems tackling him. He turns short plays into big plays. We just ran into a more talented kid out there.

Skyhawks quarterback Jared Grundy was 9 of 14 passing for 230 yards and 4 touchdowns, two of them (35 and 50 yards) went to Fiedorowicz (45 catches, 158 yards). Thomas Kinney and Brad Potts caught the others. Justin Peete rushed for 2 touchdowns and Steve Conroy had 1.

"I thought we were bending and not breaking," said Johnsburg coach Todd Winter of the Rams offense. "We've played some outstanding opponents and it's helped us get into a groove offensively and be explosive."