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Another Fish emerges as a leader at Grayslake North

Graduation took from the Grayslake North football team one of the best quarterbacks in its history.

Austin Martineau, who is now a student at University of Illinois, is the program's all-time leader in passing yards, passing attempts and career touchdowns.

But what might be making fans of the Knights feel a little better is that Martineau's replacement is a blood relative of the quarterback who holds most of the other passing records in Grayslake North history.

About seven years ago, A.J. Fish rolled up all kinds of passing yards and touchdowns en route to splashing his name all over the Grayslake North record book. In fact, his 46 touchdowns (29 rushing, 17 passing) in the 2012 still stands as a record. He gained 3,734 yards himself that season.

Now, A.J.'s little brother, Nick, has stepped into not only his brother's big shoes, but into Martineau's as well.

"Nick seems to have a knack for quarterback," Grayslake North coach Sam Baker said. "He's making quick decisions, his completion rate goes up every game. He's a dual-threat kid who likes to be on the run but who can throw."

Nick Fish is just a junior, so he's still learning on the job, and also learning from his big brother from afar. A.J Fish is working and living in San Diego.

"Nick says that A.J will call and give him advice," Baker said. "I didn't coach A.J., but I've seen the film and he was the real deal."

Captains' trip: Grayslake North lost its game last week to Lakes to fall to 1-3, but it was still a win in the Knights' book.

In association with the game, the Knights held a fundraiser for an organization called "Us vs. Cancer."

The team organized online donations the week of the Lakes game and raised a total of $2,600, which will go to research for pediatric brain cancer.

The fundraiser hit close to home for students at Grayslake North as one of their classmates, Jakub West, is a pediatric brain cancer survivor.

"It was a great fundraiser and we had posters through school (to promote it)," Grayslake North coach Sam Baker said. "Now, we're going to present a big check to Lurie Children's Hospital down in the city."

Baker had planned to take his three captains, Brian Kenebrew, Nick Fish and Joe Swanson, to Chicago this week to participate in the check presentation.

Close calls: Just 7 points.

In three losses, that's how many points 1-3 Carmel has lost by, to Libertyville, St. Charles East and St. Patrick.

"It's been both good and frustrating," Carmel coach Blake Annen said of the close losses. "We've played some really good, quality teams, teams that are bigger than us, and we've played them really tough. I think that gives our guys some confidence. But at the same time, I think there's some frustration that we've had those tough losses.

"I'm proud of the way our guys have played, though. We just need to finish games and not make those self-inflicted wounds that can really turn a game."

Hoopster on the gridiron: Known for being a standout on the basketball team at Carmel, junior wide receiver Kimahri Wilson sometimes looks like he should be wearing his high-tops on the gridiron.

"He is just such a great athlete and you can tell he's a basketball player," Carmel coach Blake Annen said of Wilson. "We can just throw it up there to him. One of his touchdown catches against St. Charles East was a jump ball in the corner of the end zone and he just jumped up there and got it."

Wilson, who leads Carmel with 14 catches, 267 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns, is a sought-after recruit in basketball. But Annen says Wilson could have a future in football, too.

"He'll have opportunities in football," Annen said. "We've had college coaches in here looking at some of our guys and he's one of them."

One of the guys: For four years, Jillian Walsh has defied the odds and has played football with the guys.

A rare female kicker, Walsh joined the Carmel football team as a freshman, kicked on the underlevel teams and has been on the varsity for the last two years.

So far this season, she is 18-for-18 on extra points and is used in some field goal situations. Walsh is also a soccer player.

"It's been fine with Jillian and the boys," Carmel coach Blake Annen said. "The boys are going to like anyone who is a competitor and does their job and Jillian has always done that."

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