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Greenfield, Lakes ace test against Grayslake N.

Maybe Lakes first-year head football coach Jordan Eder is on to something here.

And the best part is, his team is buying into it big-time.

"We talk about attitude, character, and enthusiasm," the coach said. "It's not so much football-related, but rather qualities that will carry you through life every day. And that is transcending onto the field."

It certainly didn't look like any of those three traits were missing on Friday evening at Lakes went on the road and handled Grayslake North 31-0 in the Northern Lake County Conference opener for both teams.

"Tonight we came out all gas and no brakes," said Eder.

You can say that again, especially with regard to senior tailback Ethan Greenfield.

It was Greenfield's night to run wild, and that he did to the tune of 151 yards on 16 carries and 3 touchdowns.

"It's up there," said Greenfield as far as tonight being one of his best performances to date. "We really push ourselves in practice and don't take anything for granted. The difference tonight was in the trenches. The offensive and defensive lines did an awesome job."

Lakes, which improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in the league, pounced from the get-go.

Grayslake North (1-2, 0-1) received the opening kick-off but on the second play from scrimmage, senior linebacker Gavin Kafka recovered a fumble and the Eagles were in business starting at the Knights' 42.

The drive culminated in a 42-yard field goal by junior Ryan Carr for a 3-0 lead with 8:06 left in the first.

"We know it's always a battle with them (Grayslake North), so to come out like we did and keep the momentum was huge," added Greenfield, who scored his first touchdown of the evening on a 5-yard dash with 5:43 left in the half to put the visitors up 9-0. The touchdown was set up after senior linebacker Robert King recovered a Knights fumble.

Lakes then forced Grayslake North to punt on the ensuing drive and Greenfield took care of the rest.

With 1 minute remaining in the half, he hauled in a 41-yard scoring strike from senior quarterback Jake Johnson, leaving would-be tacklers in his wake and giving the Eagles some insurance with a 16-0 lead at the break.

And you can't forget to mention junior wideout D'Lo Hardy, who always seems to make an impact on the outcome.

Two minutes into the third quarter, Hardy caught a 47-yard strike from Johnson and he was off to the races, putting Lakes up 23-0.

A safety late in the third provided plenty of breathing room at 25-0 heading to the final stanza.

"We've had two second-half shutouts but this is our first full shutout," said Eder, whose guys host Wauconda next Friday in another NCLL clash.

"We just want to stay humble and take it one game at a time. It's nice to be 3-0 but that's not the goal."

Lakes added an insurance touchdown in the fourth when who else but Greenfield bolted down the right sideline for an 80 yard touchdown to round out the scoring.

Hardy finished with 11 yards rushing while catching 4 balls for 64 yards and the score.

Meanwhile, Johnson completed 13-of-17 passes for 177 yards and the two touchdowns.

Grayslake North's deepest penetration was when they got down to the Eagles 9 midway through the fourth only to have Kafka sack Knights junior quarterback Austin Martineau to thwart any further threat.

Kafka also got to Martineau for his first sack in the second quarter.

Martineau finished completing 14-of-24 passes for 105 yards.

Penalties also hurt the Knights, who were flagged eight times for 100 yards.

"They (Lakes were better than us tonight and more physical," said Knights first-year head coach Sam Baker. "We need a gut check now. We had too many self-inflicted errors and didn't execute. I want the guys to remember this feeling and use it as motivation heading into next week."

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