Grayslake Central happily breaks tradition

Grayslake Central football coach Nick Goshe was happy to see one tradition end and, hopefully, a new one start.

For the first time since 1999, Grayslake Central won its homecoming game by shutting out Woodstock 35-0 in a Fox Valley Fox Division game Friday night.

“I think the community rallied around us tonight,” said Goshe, whose Rams are 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the FVC Fox. “The homecoming win was something this place desperately needed since we haven’t won one in 12 years. I am happy for that and I am hoping that the community is happy also.”

Joey Valdivia scored 3 touchdowns and rushed for 215 yards on 16 carries.

“We had a great game,” said Valdivia, who has 12 touchdowns this season. “Our line made some perfect blocks and I was able to take advantage of that.”

Goshe tipped his hat to his senior running back.

“Joey is pretty special, “Goshe said. “I am not that good at politicking, but I feel that Joey is one of the best players in Lake County. He is a very talented young man and he could very easily be the Lake County player of the year.”

After scoring on bursts of 57 and 47 yards, Valdivia ran in his third touchdown from 44 yards out. After it appeared that the Blue Streaks defense stopped him from behind the line, Valdivia was able to avoid three defenders and ran down the middle of the field for the touchdown.

“We just ran a general power play and the hole opened up pretty well,” Goshe said. “(Valdivia) kind of tripped up a little bit, but he kept his balance on the two-way go, made a move and then he was off to the races.”

Rams quarterback Ray Beckman also had a good game, completing 8 of 15 passes for 138 yards and 1 touchdown.

In the second quarter, he scored from 6 yards out, and in the fourth he threw a 15-yard strike to Devon Osburn.

Jimmy Molitor led the Rams defense with 2 fumble recoveries. Ryan Dones and Steve Moioffer also recovered fumbles.

Dylan Hay had an interception in the fourth quarter for the Rams.

Grayslake Central held Woodstock (0-4, 0-2) to only 107 rushing yards and just 75 passing yards.

“The defense did what we expected them to do,” Goshe said.”They run and hit and force turnovers.”

Woodstock quarterback Karr Santos completed 7 of 12 passes for 89 yards.

“I just feel that we weren’t able score any points,” Woodstock coach Steve Beard said.”Our lack of blocking and the turnovers were part of that.”