Highland Park tops Lakes
No worries, Lakes fans - just a couple of speed bumps here in the early going.
For now, though, this next week might be a pretty long one at practice.
"It's only week 2 and we're not panicked at all," said senior running back Cameron Ruiz, who sat out with cramps most of the second half in the season-opening loss to Deerfield last week. "I changed up my diet a little bit so that I won't cramp up as much."
Sure looked like the new diet proved dividends as Ruiz got it going on the ground to the tune of 142 yards on 11 carries. Only it was one of the few bright spots as the host Eagles took it on the chin 55-12 against Highland Park in nonconference action Friday night.
"Everything went wrong," was the short and poignant answer from Lakes coach Luke Mertens shortly after the debacle. "We screwed up snaps, we missed extra points, we didn't protect the ball. There were not too many positives tonight."
Highland Park (2-0) hinted in the early-going that this could be a long night for the Eagles.
That certainly held water as the Giants raced to a quick 14-0 lead with 5:56 left in the first period. Sophomore running back Tommy Motzko first scored on a 1-yard run. That was followed by senior tailback D.J. Penick's 3-yard blast. The first score was set up by a Noah Henson's pick.
"That early interception definitely gave them momentum," said Ruiz.
Lakes (0-2) responded, though, when Ruiz showcased his blazing speed by racing 65 yards down the right sideline and after a missed extra point, the Eagles were still back in it trailing 14-6.
Highland Park picked up right where it left off as Penick scored his second touchdown early in the second to make it 21-6.
Lakes still showed signs of life when Ruiz answered with his second score, a 14-yard run with 7:38 left in the half.
But the Giants took control rolling off 28 unanswered points to take a commanding 48-12 lead into the locker room.
Junior wideout Justin Goodman hauled in a 36-yard pass from senior quarterback David Adelstein. Noah Spitz then added a 3-yard punt return, followed by Adelstein's 12-yard plunge. The Giants final score of the half came on Penick's 24-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:07 left in the half.
Penick's final tally came when he darted 35 yards for his fifth total touchdown of the game. He finished with 11 carries for 75 yards.
Highland Park's defense rose to the occasion in picking off five Eagles passes on the night.
"We can overcome this," added Ruiz. "This is what builds character."
Lakes will be looking for its first win when it entertains Grayslake North in the Northern Lake County opener next Friday.