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Boyd, Grayslake North get it right

Grayslake North running back Kurtis Boyd has a driver's license. He also showed Friday night that he has a built-in GPS.

Boyd rushed for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 64 of those yards on a weaving scoring run through a crowd that resembled rush-hour traffic. The run was part of a big rushing day for the Knights in a 27-15 victory over Woodstock North in the season-opening Fox Valley Fox divisional battle.

"The key to those was the (offensive) line and blocking," said Boyd, who ran in from 23 yards for the game's first touchdown. "I made a couple of cuts, saw some holes and hit them hard."

Grayslake North (1-0, 1-0 in Fox Division) amassed a total of 324 rushing yards. Sophomore running back David Collins tallied a game-high 153 yards and scored on runs of 7 and 35 yards. Collins' consistent inside running took a toll on the Woodstock North defense and helped the Knights build a 27-7 lead.

"We said from Day 1 that the strength of the team this year was our running game," said Grayslake North coach Steve Wood. "We have five guys that can run the ball really hard, really pound, and can beat you with speed to the outside. One game it could be one running back, the next game it could be somebody else."

Wood was also pleased with the defensive effort despite allowing a 19-yard touchdown run from Thunder quarterback Brian Loftin which trimmed the Grayslake North lead to 14-7 in the second quarter.

"As a whole our defensive unit played well," said Wood. "We were able to let all of our back up defensive players play in the fourth quarter. Our first defensive unit gave up 7 points and they shouldn't have given up any points. It was just the one big play as their quarterback did a nice job. We missed a tackle and we can't afford to do that and give up the big play."

Woodstock North (0-1, 0-1 in Fox Division) added a late 1-yard touchdown run and two-point conversion from running back Mike Solano. Solano led the Thunder in rushing with 54 yards.

Pleased with their opening victory, the Knights have big goals but are keeping things in perspective.

"Oh, definitely playoffs," said Collins. "However we want to play as team and take it one play at a time, one drive at a time, one quarter at a time, one win at a time."