Another sizzling effort for Fish, Grayslake North

Many local restaurants offer all-you-can eat fish on Friday nights.

For the past few seasons, it has also been an offering on Friday nights at Grayslake North football games — in the form of standout quarterback AJ Fish.

While the Knights and their fans can’t get enough of their quarterback, visiting Johnsburg had its fill and a little more as Fish and Grayslake North cruised past the Skyhawks 41-7 Friday night in their homecoming game, a Fox Valley Fox Division opener.

Fish continued his stellar start to the season as he amassed over 450 yards of total offense and accounted for 4 of 6 scores for Grayslake North’s (3-1, 1-0 Fox Division).

“We just stuck to the same stuff we have been doing for the past three weeks,” said Fish. “Our offensive line played great. Everyone was making plays.”

“We are very lucky to have someone like him in our program,” said Grayslake North coach Steve Wood. “But it also comes down to everyone else around him. (Fish) makes a lot of guys miss, but if he does not have people to throw to, he doesn’t have that chance.”

Fish opened the scoring with a 6-yard run on the Knights’ first drive, which spanned 71 yards. Johnsburg (0-4, 0-2 Fox Division) responded with a 72-yard drive of its own capped off by a Jake Hauck 4-yard scamper to even the score at 7-7.

“A lot of credit to Johnsburg,” said Wood. “Their offensive line blew us off the ball. We did not follow the game plan very well at all, which we have a tendency to do defensively. We made adjustments, which is why they didn’t score, but they still moved the ball.”

The Knights then scored 34 unanswered points. Running back Titus Booker (51 yards) had two short touchdown runs in the second quarter. Fish then extended the Knights’ lead with a 20-yard score before the half and further made Skyhawks defenders miss on a 38-yard gallop on the first drive of the third quarter.

Receiver Vincent Smith (6 catches, 108 yards) was the main target for Fish and hauled in a 29-yard pass to cap the scoring.

Christian Nugent led Johnsburg in rushing with 43 yards.

“We have a big game next week against Hampshire next week,” said Wood. “They are going to pound the ball, and we need to be ready and be a little more focused for next week.”