The tall and short of it: J’burg wins

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JOHNSBURG – Wide receiver C.J. Fiedorowicz measures in at6-foot-7 while running back Justin Peete measures in at 5-7, a full foot shorter than Fiedorowicz.

The sophomore teammates at Johnsburg, might differ in height and weight, but both provide the Skyhawks offense with plenty of firepower and it was evident Friday night.

Peete ran for 143 yards and three touchdowns, and Fiedorowicz hauled in two touchdown receptions as the Skyhawks beat Crystal Lake Central, 34-21, in a Fox Valley Conference Fox Division game at Johnsburg Athletic Field.

“C.J. and Justin are good football players,” Johnsburg coach Todd Winter said. “They work hard and train hard in the off-season, they are good in the classroom, they are good citizens [and] they are everything we want in a Johnsburg football player.

“But you also have to give our offensive line credit tonight, as well. They did a great job of opening holes and providing protection for [quarterback] Jerad [Grundy]. I thought Jerad did a great job tonight of finding the open receiver.”

With the win, Johnsburg (4-3) inches closer to a possible playoff berth. The Skyhawks are on the road for the final two weeks of the season, facing Grayslake North on Friday and Fox Division-leader Prairie Ridge the next week.

“We are going to prepare for Grayslake North like we prepare for anyone else,” Winter said. “North is capable of beating anyone on any given day. We have to seal the deal next week against North.”

Fiedorowicz gave Johnsburg a 7-0 lead with a 46-yard touchdown reception with 8:19 remaining in the second quarter. But the Tigers (4-3) answered back on70-yard run by Anthony Degani. Degani ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns.

Peete broke the game open in the fourth, scoring on runs of 6 and 12 yards to give the Skyhawks a commanding 34-14 lead.

“I have to give it to my offensive line tonight,” Peete said. “If it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t have got what I got on the ground. I really didn’t expect to score three touchdowns tonight, I just wanted to come out and play hard and get the win.”

Even with the loss, Crystal Lake Central still is in the hunt for a playoff berth, but Tigers coach John McLaughlin said his team has some work to do to get in the playoffs.

“I felt like we got pushed around  a little tonight by Johnsburg,” McLaughlin said. “Congratulations to the Skyhawks, they played a great game tonight. But we are going to continue fighting and continue playing football like we always do.”