Wauconda's stingy defense stymies Grant

For the Wauconda Bulldogs, it was evident what the game plan was on Friday night against Grant.

Run the ball and play stingy defense.

And Wauconda did just that in its 42-0 win against Grant on the road.

It started with running back Colin Husko. The junior running back finished the game with 161 rushing yards and had 4 rushing touchdowns. And Husko accumulated all of that in just the first half.

"I have to give credit to my line," Husko said. "They did a phenomenal job."

When asked how he plans on thanking his guys up front for creating those rushing lanes, Husko said he would "give them a Snickers."

But all night the holes were constant and that allowed Husko to get to the second level - where he relied on his peripheral vision to set up defenders to ultimately get into the open field.

For Wauconda's defense, the unit played the same way it has all season. Physical and with all 11 defenders rallying to the ball carrier.

"Our kids like to hit," Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. "In fact in practice a lot of times we have to back off from hitting because they like to hit. It's a group that has been pretty successful the last couple of years ... We are just enjoying their personality and how they play football."

With the 42-0 victory, Wauconda registered its third-straight shutout on the season. Along with making secure tackles all night and not allowing Grant to move the ball up the middle, the defense forced a fumble on the first play in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs took over on Grant's 25-yard line and would capitalize on the turnover. Quarterback Vince Bennett went under center and scored on a quarterback keeper from the 1, making it a 28-0 game with 8:41 left in the first half.

Bennett went 2-of-3 on his pass attempts and completed a 24-yard pass to Clayton Glasby down the left sideline. Bennett made a defender miss in the backfield and threw over the defender to complete the play.

Five plays after Bennett's completion to Glasby, Collin Cheshier had a 5-yard touchdown run.

The defense also didn't allow Grant to get its first first down of the game until there was just over 4 minutes left in the second quarter.

Wauconda Bulldogs played complimentary football, which is exactly what Mills likes to see from his team.

"We got three fantastic running backs, we got a fantastic line, we got a defense that just recorded its third-straight shutout in a row," Mills said. "It's everything. It's just how they have been playing. They love to play football."

Despite the great start to the season, Wauconda has far greater aspirations for this 2021 season.

"They want a conference title. That's one of their goals," Mills said. "They are looking toward to the playoffs. They got some big thoughts and big dreams."