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Antioch completes unbeaten run

It wasn't planned.

But it sure seemed like Antioch senior Ben Gutke had prepared his remarks for the team's post-game huddle Friday night. He was thoughtful, yet fired up, compelled to find a way to sum up what had just happened on the Sequoits' home field.

Moments earlier, Antioch had sealed a 25-20 victory over Grayslake North in what essentially was the first championship game of the new Northern Lake County Conference. The victory also kept the Sequoits undefeated, a perfect 9-0 (7-0 NLCC) on the season.

It's the first undefeated season at Antioch since the 2008 team reached the state semifinals.

"This means the world to us," Gutke said. "This didn't happen this week, it didn't happen during the season, it happened in the summer. All these guys have been working hard and it finally paid off."

Gutke had a similar message in the huddle.

Surrounded on all sides by sweaty teammates who had taken a knee and were trying to listen intently, Gutke talked about family, about working together, about working hard, about his love for every player and coach in that huddle.

"It just came from the heart," Gutke, a seasoned veteran and three-year varsity player, said of his pep talk. "I just felt like saying something. These guys mean the world to me. We're a band of brothers and that won't be broken. We're a family. We play as a family, we practice as a family. Even in school, it can't be broken.

"I like (encouraging) my guys. If it works, I'll keep doing it."

Plenty worked for Antioch in the second half.

After a surprising first half that saw the top two scoring offenses in the league produce a total of just 3 points (Antioch was up 3-0 at halftime on a 48-yard Gutke field goal), the Sequoits caught some momentum.

Antioch covered 80 yards in three minutes on the first possession of the second half, scoring on a 40-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Branden Gallimore to Javen London. That made the score 11-0.

But 21 seconds later, Grayslake North scored on its first play of the second half, when running back Dami Oladunmoye sprinted 83 yards down the Grayslake North sideline for a score.

The teams then traded scores twice more. Drew Porter (19 yards) and Gallimore (12 yards) had touchdown runs for Antioch and Oladunmoye had 2 more touchdown runs for Grayslake North (27 yards and 2 yards).

Oladunmoye's final touchdown cut Antioch's lead to 25-20 with 5:09 left.

The Knights got one more possession to try to score, but couldn't get to the end zone. Antioch junior Andrew Hare, who had blocked a Grayslake North field goal attempt earlier in the game, intercepted a desperation Austin Martineau pass to end the game.

"Two really good defenses tonight," Antioch coach Brian Glashagel said. "Playoff-type games come down to defense and a lot of good defense by both teams, especially in the first half.

"But we made some adjustments at half on what we wanted to do and the kids executed it. (Gallimore) kept moving the chains for us."

Antioch also got plenty of rushing yards out of Brandon Lind (11 carries, 72 yards) and Drew Porter (17 carries, 67 yards).

Oladunmoye, who has been struggling with injuries all season and is still not at 100 percent, led all rushers with 204 yards on 22 carries.

Grayslake North finishes 7-2 (5-2 NLCC), but like Antioch will receive one of the top seeds in the playoffs.

"We just couldn't get anything going in the first half," Grayslake North coach Steve Wood said. "That's the frustrating part. Thankfully, we've got another week in front of us.

"For us, 7-2 should be a home (playoff) game. So we're excited about that. Our guys will bounce back. They're great kids and they work hard all the time and it's a new season. The playoffs start a new season whether you're 9-0 or 8-1 or 7-2.

"Earlier this week, I tweeted out that 'all you can ask for in life is an opportunity.' We had an opportunity (to win a conference title. That's all you can ever ask for. What you do with it is what defines you as a person and as a team. Even though we weren't successful tonight, this is what is going to build us and make us successful in the future."

  Antioch's Andrew Hare (23) blocks a second-quarter field goal attempt by Grayslake North kicker Danny Perez (92) on Friday at Antioch. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Antioch ball carrier Drew Porter (3) is upended by Grayslake North's Sam Nayyer (3) during the first half Friday in Antioch. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Grayslake North's Dami Oladunmoye (10) finds some running room during Friday's night's football game against Antioch. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Antioch's Matt Rowe looks downfield during a kickoff return but is quickly wrapped up by Grayslake North's Cole West during Friday's game in Antioch. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Antioch quarterback Branden Gallimore runs the ball during Friday's home game against Grayslake North. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
  Grayslake North quarterback Austin Martineau looks for running room against Antioch on Friday. Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
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