Host Grant exploded for three third-quarter touchdowns to break open a 10-7 game and went on to beat Grayslake Central 31-14 on Friday.
The Bulldogs (2-0) will play Wauconda next Friday while Grayslake (1-1) will host Hampshire.
Keion Miller caught a 43-yard TD pass from Kyle Whitman with 9:05 left in the third quarter to give Grant an 18-7 lead.
Ninty seconds later, Whitman scored on a two-yard run to make it 24-7. Then, with 4:38 left in the period, Whitman (17 carries, 114 yards, 3 TDs) scored on a 13-yard run to take total command of the game.
Grayslake’s Alex Lennartz threw a 41-yard TD pass to Wilson Perez early in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring.
The first half started slowly but ended with a bang and Grant ahead 10-7.
With both teams dominating defensively, Grant’s Billy Sullivan dropped Grayslake’s Tyler Gustke in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead.
Grant got the ensuing kickoff but moments later, fumbled and Grayslake’s Connor Daley recovered and raced 56 yards to the house for a 7-2 Ram lead.
Grant’s offense then finally got going, driving for a score, which Whitman got on a 21-yard run with 1:41 left in the half. Jonathan Wells (27 carries, 113 yards) ran in the two-point conversion.
