Knights wrack up yards in win over Woodstock

The Woodstock High School varsity football team traveled to Grayslake Sept. 28 hoping to alleviate the sting from a tough loss to crosstown rival Woodstock North. Unfortunately for the Blue Streaks, Grayslake North High School quarterback AJ Fish had different plans and led his team to 617 total yards and a 42-21 victory.

WHS head coach Steve Beard praised the play of the Knights’ quarterback, who had two rushing and two passing touchdowns. 

“He did a real nice job of leading their offense,” Beard said, adding Knights running back Titus Booker played hard. “They are both very difficult to tackle. That’s why you saw 42 points on the board.”

The Streaks had an impressive night offensively putting up a total of 417 yards which included 325 yards on the ground. Junior Nick Rogers rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns (1 and 2 yards); junior Mike Santucci rushed for 87 yards and one touchdown (2 yards); and senior Brad Bertram rushed for 93 yards.

The problem for the Streaks was a failure to finish drives. Two fumbles deep in Grayslake North territory and a goal-line stop by the Knights definitely hurt the Streaks’ effort.

“I really believe that our offense could have scored some more points,” Beard said. “We played well. We just didn’t finish drives.”

Senior Matt Swedberg, who had one rush for 22 yards and caught one pass for 45 yards, said the Streaks just couldn’t stop the Knights duo.

“They were just playmakers on offense,” Swedberg said. “We knew coming in we would have to stop them, and we just didn’t get that done.”

With three weeks to go in the season, the Streaks know they need to win out to make the playoffs.

“If we win out, win the next three games, we’re 5-4 and in the playoffs,” Beard said. 

“We came out at the beginning of the season, and we knew what we had to do to get to the playoffs,” Swedberg said. “We are not at the spot where we wanted to be, but we know what we have to do to get into the playoffs. We need to focus on the little things.”

Next up for the Streaks is Hampshire High School, 3-3. Hampshire defeated Johnsburg 27-21 Sept. 28. 

Beard said he expects an evenly matched game against the Whip-Purs. 

“I think we’re evenly matched teams,” Beard said.

The Streaks will play at Hampshire High School at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6.