Knights Bounce Back Behind Michael Jefferson's Three Touchdowns

One of the more underrated rivalries in Lake County took place Friday Night as the Lakes Eagles hosted Grayslake North. These two squads have played each other every year since 2011; five years before the Grayslake Schools merged with the North Suburban Prairie Conference, and became the Northern Lake County Conference.

The Knights needed to rebound after losing 49-6 to Antioch last week. Things didn't start well for them as Lakes' receiver Tyson Dewey returned the opening kickoff for a 94 yard touchdown. The Knights answered midway through the first quarter thanks to running back Michael Jefferson's 73 yard touchdown run on the first play of their second possession.

Throughout the first half Grayslake North was able to move the ball and dominate time of possession, but they would only have the one touchdown to show for it. The game was tied at 7 at the half.

That would change in the second half. The Knights sustained a seven and a half minute drive, and senior quarterback Jake Donahue (11/19, 167 yards, 3 carries, 73 yards) finished the drive with an 11 yard run to put the Knights up for good. The next Knights possession lasted just two plays; a 41 yard screen pass from Donahue to running back Dominique Pulliam (3 carries, 12 yards, 3 catches, 67 yards), and a 33 yard pass to the corner of the endzone to Jefferson.

Jefferson would seal the game early in the 4th quarter with a 4 yard run as the Knights beat the Eagles 28-7. The senior finished with 20 carries, 191 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, and the formerly mentioned 33 yard touchdown catch.

Eagles quarterback Max Bausch went 13/24 for 130 yards, and had 7 carries for 56 yards. Receiver Tyson Dewey, along with the 94 yard kickoff return, had 7 receptions for 48 yards.

The Knights (5-1, 3-1 NLCC) will host North Chicago (1-5, 0-4 NLCC), and the Eagles (3-3, 2-2 NLCC) will travel to Wauconda (6-0, 4-0 NLCC).