Grant stays in control over Johnsburg

In a game that featured a quarterback who is a college-recruited pitcher, a pitcher's duel was the rule early on in Johnsburg on Friday night.

Eventually, both offenses broke the ice and the Grant Bulldogs notched a season-opening win over the host Skyhawks 20-10.

It sure looked like the first game of the season for both teams in the first half, as neither team could get on the scoreboard. Both offensive units had drives short-circuited by mishandled snaps from center.

The Bulldogs (1-0) did strike first in the third quarter behind running back Dan Hourihan's 32-yard touchdown run and extra point to grab a 7-0 lead.

Johnsburg (0-1) answered right back behind quarterback, and University of Miami baseball recruit Jerad Grundy, who fired a 11-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Fiedorowicz (8 catches, 79 yards). Thomas Kinney's extra point knotted the game at 7.

After a Kinney field goal gave the Skyhawks a 10-7 lead late in the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs gained the lead back with a Hourihan 52 yard-touchdown scamper. Hourihan praised his offensive linemen on paving his way to 182 yards on the ground.

"The offensive line was creating huge holes, gaping holes, it was unbelievable," he said. "I just needed to be patient and run through them."

The Skyhawks had plenty of chances to regain the lead down the stretch, but Grundy (13-24, 142 yards) was intercepted by both Jimi Cokefair and Brandon Bushing respectively on 4th quarter drives.

Grant capped off the scoring with Tom Bychowski (3 catches, 56 yards) taking an Israel Rodriguez pass into the end zone from 12 yards out.

Coach Kurt Rous was satisfied with how Rodriguez managed his first game under center.

"With the exceptions of the fumbles, yes. He kept his poise and let us to victory. That's all that matters."

Rodriguez finished the game with 92 rushing yards to go along with 71 yards through the air.