Sophomore wingback Jeremy Bredwood scored four touchdowns and host Grant overwhelmed Lake View of the Chicago Public League 59-0 on Friday in Round 1 of the Class 6A football playoffs.
Grant led 45-0 at halftime and the running clock for the entire second half got the crowd home early.
Bredwood, playing in just his second varsity game, scored on runs of 13, 13 and 17 yards in the first half, and added a 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He finished with six carries for 82 yards and the four scores.
Chris Smith carried six times for 125 yards and a touchdown while Andy Cacchione rushed 13 times for 82 yards and a score.
Grant (8-2) has regrouped after losing star quarterback Kyle Whiman (ACL) and star running back Jonathan Wells to injuries in midseason.
Keion Miller started the scoring with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Jason Bach in the game’s first three minutes.
The scoring accelerated from there and included a safety and a two-point conversion.
Also scoring for the Bulldogs was backup quarterbakc Taylor Zielinski (70-yard run). Grant also blocked a punt out of the end zone for a safety.
In the Round of 16 next week, Grant is almost certain to play Crystal Lake Central, which will be a formidable foe. That game would be played in Crystal Lake.
“It was a good team victory,” said Grant coach Kurt Rous. “Our O-line did a good job. Our running back-by-committee did a good job. They stepped up, and our defense has played pretty well the last couple of weeks.”
As for next week’s game against CL Central, Rous said, “I know they’re good. They play in a tough conference. It will be a tough game. Hopefully, we’ll get it together and play like we did tonight.”
As for the injuries, Rous said, “This is the worst it’s ever been, but we’ve persevered. Our kids, God bless them, listen to what we preach. They did their assignments and we came out on top.”
Bredwood is just 5-9 but he stood tall on this night.
“In practice, we’re going hard,” he said, “and trying to get as many reps as we can to get ready. Coach gives everybody a chance, and he has great faith in us.”
