Grayslake Central runs wild in win over Johnsburg
A trio of Grayslake Central running backs put on an amazing show in Friday's 36-20 season-opening win over visiting Johnsburg.
Senior speedster Jahard Nelson started it off with a sonic boom, taking a pitch 76 yards for a touchdown on the game's opening play.
"All I can say is I thank God for the offensive line, because I was untouched and that made me so happy," he said.
While Nelson turned on the jets, Joey Valdivia provided the turbulence. The bruising junior broke tackles all over the field on his way to 216 rushing yards on just 14 carries.
Vinnie Culhane, meanwhile, was more of a stunt pilot. The 5-foot-8 senior delivered some tough yards up the middle and also found room to gain 121 yards on 14 carries. Nelson finished with 109 yards on 9 attempts.
The final tally was 445 rushing yards for the Rams, with an average just over 10 yards per carry. Other than one lost fumble and two possessions at the end of each half, Central's offense was never stopped. The Rams went 6-for-6 in third-down conversions.
"We've got some really talented running backs, we feel, and getting them the football was a priority," Central coach Nick Goshe said. "(Valdivia) was a little banged up during the course of the year and you never really saw the true Joey Valdivia. Tonight you did.
"Jahard, you never got a chance to see last year because he was out with a broken wrist and he's the fastest kid in Lake County. So we've got some kids that are showing you some things they haven't been able to show in the past because of injury and it's great for us to see."
Johnsburg's offensive line averages a massive 258 pounds. Central's line, featuring John Curtis, Chris Loeffl, Charlie Risinger, Nick Celeslie, Jon Sell and Conner Hirt, averages 205 pounds per man, but they got the job done.
Junior quarterback Ray Beckman attempted just 3 passes but fired a 66-yard bomb to 6-6 tight end C.J. Stempeck, setting up the Rams' third touchdown. The only bad news for Grayslake on this night was it went 0-for-6 on extra points.
Johnsburg also brought a potent offense. The Skyhawks never punted, while quarterback George Bielis threw for 163 yards. But Grayslake's defense stepped up when it needed to, stopping Johnsburg twice on fourth down and forcing a pair of turnovers.
"We knew coming into this that we had a great summer passing the football," said Johnsburg coach Barry Creviston. "You get the linemen in front of you, it's a whole different game. We tackled poorly tonight."
Besides the big opening run, the Rams added a pair of two-play scoring drives in the first half and led 24-7 after Valdivia's 37-yard bull rush early in the second quarter.
The Skyhawks had a chance to get back in it after scoring on a Brandon Taylor 11-yard run with 3 seconds left in the third. A 2-point conversion would have brought Johnsburg within 30-22, but Central's Will Reed broke up the conversion pass.
Nelson returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards and three plays later, Culhane scored on a 57-yard run to make it 36-20.