Giorgi, Grafton hit on all cylinders vs. rival Cedarburg

GRAFTON SENIOR QUARTERBACK Zach Weir knew where to go with the ball in last Friday’s home opener, going 15-for-19 for 223 yards and two scores with one interception. Photo by Sam Arendt
Grafton High School senior running back Joey Giorgi didn’t play a snap in the second half of the season opener last Friday night.
Visiting Cedarburg likely wishes he would have missed the first too.
Giorgi racked up 213 yards and five touchdowns on 14 carries before he was taken out with four minutes left in the second quarter in a 48-14 demolition.
“He’s an extremely valuable part of our team,” coach Jim Norris said.
“It was a good start to the season. It was good to hit someone else and see all the hard work pay off.”
The Black Hawks built a 20-0 lead after one quarter and 48-0 before the Bulldogs scored at the end of the first half.
Senior quarterback Zach Weir went 15-for-19 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
“He made the most of situations when Cedarburg brought six guys and we couldn’t pick (the blitz) up,” Norris said.
Junior Dominic Voiland caught three balls for 51 yards and caught two more on defense, one in each half.
“Both of them were huge plays, unbelievable catches,” Norris said. “He’s just a very hard worker. We ask him to do a lot of things and he has really embraced the role of wide receiver and defensive back.”
Slot receiver Joe Birch had four grabs for 102 yards. Norris compared him to Wes Welker and Danny Amendola — someone who makes up for size and speed with precision route running.
Caleb Buback, who led the team in receiving touchdowns last season, had a 28-yard catch for a score. Norris said he’s a staple in the offense and this season has added outside linebacker to his repertoire.
Linebacker Jay Garza, the field general of the Hawks’ front seven, led the defense with six tackles.
“You can tell he’s playing with his butt on fire,” Norris said.
Alex Ovespyan made five tackles.
“He’s pretty raw in some places but makes up for it with his aggressiveness and ability to make plays,” Norris said.
The Hawks held the Bulldogs to less than 50 yards rushing on 23 carries.
Norris pulled most starters after the first drive of the third quarter.
“One point of emphasis I like — great teams have to come out the second half no matter what,” he said.
Norris left in the starting offensive line. With three new starters — four including center Jack Harmon, who started four games last season — he wants the group to build continuity. They got 60 snaps as a unit.
“When we all hit together at the same cylinder, things went,” Norris said. “We have a lot to work on still. We have the tools to be great and made mistakes that are correctable.”
Running back Canon Pfaff didn’t give the Bulldogs much of a break, running for 109 yards on 11 carries.
For Cedarburg, Jake Jake Leair went 24-for-40 for 285 yards with two scores and two interceptions. Drew Biber caught 10 balls for 122 yards and two scores.
Now winners of two in a row over the Bulldogs, the rivalry’s pendulum has swung to Grafton’s side after years of being on the losing end. Norris said a few veteran assistant coaches remember those days.
“I respect coach (Brian) Leair and what they’re doing. They have a lot of good athletes and will win football games this year,” Norris said.
“It’s fun obviously beating your rival.”
On Friday, the Hawks host West Bend East, which beat Port, 21-7, last Friday. The Hawks beat the Suns, 21-17, last season.
Norris looks for mistakes to be corrected.
“The biggest improvement comes between week 1 and week 2. Whatever teams can close that gap are the most successful teams,” he said.
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