Rams’ Joel Valdivia runs wild in victory

Updated: October 15, 2011 12:35AM

Joel Valdivia rushed 35 times for 365 yards and six touchdowns, leading host Grayslake Central past rival Grayslake North 44-34 as the Rams clinched no worse than a share of the Fox Valley Conference Fox Valley football title.

The Rams (7-1) play Crystal Lake South in a non-conference game next week.

The loss makes Grayslake North 4-4 and the Knights have a tough game against Woodstock North left.

Valdivia scored on runs of 48, 66, three, nine, 65 and 23 yards.

He was at his best after North pulled within 30-27 with 4:27 left. On the first play after the kickoff, he raced 65 yards to the house for a 37-27 lead. He then clinched the win with a 23-yard touchdown burst with 1:49 left.

“Obviously, the kids executed up front,” said Rams coach Nick Goshe of the team’s strong offensive-line play. “Joel was able to get in a lot of one-on-ones with corners and safeties. He’s pretty big ... deceptively big (5-10, 210 pounds).”

For the year, Valdivia has scored 22 touchdowns.

The stands were packed to overflowing on Friday, and the coach was appreciative of the turnout.

“It’s a big credit to our fans and to the parents of our kids. They’ve come out and really supported the kids this season,” Goshe said.

The biggest fan favorite, of course, was Valdivia.

In the second half, he scored a touchdown to make it 23-13, a score to make it 30-20, a touchdown to make it 37-27 and a final score to make it 44-27.

In other words, every time North got within one score, Valdivia answered with a touchdown.

“This is definitely the best night I’ve very had,” the senior said. “Playing our crosstown rival was definitely a motivating factor.”

Last week, not only did Valdivia not score, but the Rams were shut out 25-0 by Woodstock North.

What a difference a week makes.

“Last week, we were really unfocused in practice. This week, we had our best practices of the season,” he said.

Central led 16-13 at halftime, and the game actually turned on a defensive play by Central.

Devon Osburn intercepted a pass from A.J. Fish (24-of-33, 307 yards, touchdown, two interceptions) and raced 75 yards to the North 3. On the next play, Valdivia’s touchdown run gave Central a 10-point lead at 23-13.

From there, every time North scored, Valdivia seemed to have answer.

One of the game’s oddest plays also involved Valdivia, and ended with his running 65 yards to the house.

The play with started a pitch to him running around left end. However, he fumbled the pitch, and scrambled to pick up the ball. He then completely reversed his field, and wound up running right end and taking it all the way to the house.

“I think the reason I was able to score on that play was because Grayslake North’s entire defense was running one way when I cut back the other way,” Valdivia said.

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