Skyhawks' errors more costly than Bulldogs' in loss

Johnsburg's Justin Peete carries the ball down field during the second quarter before being tackled by Grant's Jimi Cokefair on August 29, 2008. (Lauren M. Anderson photo)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

JOHNSBURG – Each Grant first down sucked away more precious fourth-quarter seconds and raised the anxiety level on Johnsburg’s sideline.

By the time Tom Bychowski took a lateral that looked like a pass and scored from 12 yards out, the Bulldogs had killed 7 minutes and just about any chance Johnsburg had of coming back.

The drive was as frustrating for Johnsburg – the Bulldogs recovered their own fumbles twice – as it was exhilarating for Grant, which opened its season with a 20-10 non-conference football victory Friday night.

“That was a spike in the heart right there,” Johnsburg defensive end Tyler Brady said.

“We couldn’t capitalize on their mistakes.”

Johnsburg grabbed the lead, 10-7, with 11.8 seconds remaining in the third quarter on Thomas Kinney’s 37-yard field goal.

After a squib kick, Grant fullback Dan Hourihan went 52 yards on the first play for a 13-10 lead.

Hourihan missed the extra point.

Hourihan finished with 21 carries for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He and quarterback Israel Rodriguez accounted for most of the Bulldogs’ 215 second-half rushing yards.

“It’s not the prettiest or flashiest offense,” Grant coach Kurt Rous said. “We just get the job done. No. 52 [Brady] was killing us, so we ran at him and were able to trap block him [in the second half].”

Both teams made their share of mistakes. Grant was flagged 13 times for 126 yards. Johnsburg didn’t have as many penalties, but made some at crucial times.

“We hurt ourselves quite a bit with untimely penalties,” Johnsburg coach Todd Winter said. “We made too many mistakes against a good team.”

Johnsburg, which lost to Grant in last season’s opener, appeared to have taken a 14-7 lead in the third quarter with Jerad Grundy’s second touchdown pass to C.J. Fiedorowicz. But the Skyhawks were called for a chop block on the play and were forced to settle for Kinney’s field goal.

After Hourihan scored the go-ahead touchdown, Grundy was picked off on the next series at the Grant 33. Johnsburg would have had the ball back on a three-and-out, but a Skyhawks’ personal foul gave Grant’s drive new life. The Bulldogs took full advantage.

“We ran the ball well at times, but we didn’t get that little bit we needed,” Skyhawks running back-defensive back Justin Peete said. “We have to fix it and execute all the way.”

Fiedorowicz caught eight passes for 82 yards, and Grundy threw for 150 yards but was intercepted three times.

“They had breakdowns like we had,” Rous said. “There were a lot of mistakes. I knew all their skill guys were back. They’re a scary team and they’re going to do quite well. We’re lucky to get out of here with a 20-10 win with the mistakes we made.”