Book it: Epic finish favors Grayslake North
It was an epic offensive battle when host Grayslake North met Normal Community West in nonconference action Friday night.
The visiting Wildcats took a 43-42 lead in this action-packed contest with 5:58 to play. But the Knights came through when the chips were down to secure an exciting 50-43 victory behind a huge game from running back Titus Booker.
Booker's incredible game culminated with a game-winning 3-yard TD run on third-and-goal from the 3 with 2:36 to play marking the fifth rushing TD of the game for the Indiana University-bound standout.
Booker was a real workhorse for Grayslake North (2-2) as he carried the ball 35 times for 329 yards, including 186 yards on 14 rushes with three TD runs in the first half alone.
"I have to give it all to my offensive line, I had some beautiful holes and I just wanted to do it for my team," said the speedy Booker, who also had a key interception deep in his own territory early in the second quarter. "It just came down to who wanted it more and defensively we just need to play hard and play together."
Normal West (2-2) fell behind 7-0 right away in the wild game as Booker went 37 yards for the touchdown just 30 seconds into the contest before Kevin Meyer booted the first of his six extra points.
The Knights struck again on their second possession as senior Eli Atwater made a great diving TD catch in the back of the end zone going to his left on a pass by Merrick Gentile (14-for-19, 121 yards) with 3:48 left in the first quarter of the marathon game.
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard on a 10-yard TD run up the middle by Dajour Forrest just 1:32 later to cut the gap to 14-7.
But Grayslake North's Matt Aikin answered that score by returning the ensuing kickoff 93 yards down the right sideline to give the Knights a 21-7 lead only 13 seconds later.
Booker kept North's offense rolling when he tight-roped his way down the left sideline for a 58-yard TD run and a 28-7 lead with 5:08 left in the second quarter.
Normal West bounced right back when quarterback Mitch Fairfield (7-for-9, 184 yards) hit Genia Fuss with a 67-yard TD pass over the middle to make the score 28-14 4:18 before halftime.
But once again it was Booker to the rescue as he found a small gap en route to the end zone on a 9-yard TD run 1:47 before the intermission.
The Wildcats got a 31-yard field goal from Tim O'Brien with just 16.3 seconds left in the first half to make the score 35-17.
"Offensively we played well, and I thought there were a few times when we could put the game away," said Grayslake North coach Steve Wood. "Our defense created three turnovers inside the five and I'm proud of the defense hanging in and not quiting."
The Wildcats came out strong in the third quarter as they alternated Fairfield and Arion Worthman at quarterback with Worthman (232 yards rushing on 19 attempts) scoring on a 9-yard run to make the score 35-24.
Then Forrest caught a 44-yard TD pass from Worthman (11-for-15, 134 yards) to pull to within 35-30 midway through the third quarter.
The Knights got back on track with a 1-yard TD run by Booker, but Worthman would score on a 4-yard TD run to make the score 42-37 late in the third quarter.
North's George Deligiannis came up with the biggest defensive play of the game when he recovered a fumble by Worthman right on the goal line to keep the score 42-37 early in the fourth quarter.
West took its only lead at 43-42 when Worthman scored on a 6-yard TD run with 5:58 left. Fairfield and two of his teammates all left the game due to injuries early in the second half.
North's Stefan Davis also recovered a huge fumble by Worthman very late in the fourth quarter before the Knights were able to run out the clock.
The Wildcats fumbled six times while Forrest had 95 yards rushing on 11 carries.
"We needed to ride him (Booker) and I'm really proud of him," said Wood. "That is exactly what you would expect a lead to do and he accepted that role."