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Kickoff return TD helps Antioch hold off Grayslake North

Grayslake North's plan to keep the Antioch offense off the field worked like a charm Friday.

The host Sequoits had just one possession in the first half, but got a huge play from a hidden weapon to pull off a 22-18 victory in the Northern Lake County Conference.

One reason Antioch didn't have the ball more was an 85-yard kickoff return by junior Jack Bucar, which allowed the Sequoits to take an 8-6 lead into halftime. Bucar's primary position is safety, but he has a nose for the end zone.

“Jack Bucar, he's scored 3 or 4 touchdowns in some weird ways,” Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. “That was awesome. That gave us some juice. What a weird game, but we'll take the win and move on.”

After the game, Bucar listed his previous unconventional touchdowns this season.

“They snapped the ball over the punter's head, scooped and scored that,” he said. “I've had the defense fumble the ball on a pitch, I scooped and scored that. I've played a little bit of running back.”

Each of Grayslake North's first four drives lasted at least 10 plays. They even tried to extend their time of possession advantage by attempting an onside kick to open the second half. Knights running back Landon Dovel was key to the ball-control plan, finishing with 170 rushing yards on 34 carries.

“Obviously, we wanted to possess the ball,” GN coach Brian Johnson said. “The more we're on the field, the less they are. Our plan worked. All you can ask for is a chance at the end.”

At the start, North ran a 10-play drive and the Sequoits answered with 12 plays, but both teams failed to convert fourth downs in opponent territory. The Knights (4-2) then unleashed a 14-play, 82-yard drive, with Dovel scoring on a 5-yard run, but the extra point was blocked.

After Bucar's kickoff return, Grayslake North ran out the quarter with another 12-play possessions. This one included a 21-yard run by QB Mitch Hughes on a fake punt, but ended with a flurry of penalties.

To begin the third quarter, Antioch started near midfield by recovering the onside kick and threw in a blast from the past. Instead of lining up on the wing, Martin Cohen shifted to the I-formation with Marcus Macias in a three-point stance at fullback, a throwback to when the Sequoits ran the option.

“We're kind of trying to find our identity,” Glashagel said. “We're a different team from Week 1 to now.”

The plan worked, with Cohen doing most of the damage and scoring on a 4-yard run to make it 16-6. Cohen finished with 107 yards on 16 carries and felt fresh after the offense spent so little time on the field.

“It was ugly, but this guy right next to me (Bucar) saved us in the first half,” Cohen said.

Hughes scrambled for a 6-yard TD to bring the Knights within 16-12 with 9:42 remaining, but Antioch answered with another long drive. Cohen bulled for a 14-yard touchdown run to make it a two-score game with 5:13 left.

The game was delayed when Grayslake North tight end Tyler McBride was taken off on a stretcher. But with emergency lights still flashing on the side of the field. Dartmouth commit Cameron Bates made a leaping catch for a 25-yard TD to bring the Knights within 22-18 with 1:22 left. The onside kick bounced around for a while, but Antioch's Brady Rietschel finally grabbed it to secure the win. Antioch will face Wauconda on Thursday with first place at stake.

Coaches said McBride was alert and thought he could leave the field on his own.

“You always have to be careful when there's anything involved with the head or neck,” Johnson said. “I think those precautions are important.”

Antioch’s Wyatt Ertl Grayslake North’s Landon Dovel crashes into a referee as he is tackled by in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Antioch’s Marcus Macias take a pith against Grayslake North in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Antioch quarterback Colin Arquilla throws a completion as he is hit by Grayslake North’s Ernesto Gonzalez in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Antioch’s Grayslake North’s in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Antioch’s Martin Cohen is caught by Grayslake North’s Ethan Ventura in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Grayslake North quarterback Mitchell Hughes cuts back against Antioch in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Grayslake North’s Chris Filas reaches for a pass in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Grayslake North’s Landon Dovel tries to squeeze bertween Antioch’s Henry Lubkeman and Chad Cowart, right, in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Antioch’s Mason Bussone stretches for a pass over his head as Grayslake North’s Maurice Jorden defends in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. The pass flew out of bounds incomplete. John Starks
Antioch’s Grayslake North’s in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Grayslake North’s iMitchell Hughes throws the ball against Antioch in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
Antioch’s Martin Cohen runs down the sideline after a catch against Grayslake North in a football game in Antioch on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. John Starks
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