Cary-Grove has Valley title aspirations
Two years removed from its last title in the Fox Valley Conference, the Cary-Grove football team aims to reclaim its Valley Division throne.
The Trojans continued their successful run of playoff appearances last season when they went 8-3 and reached a second-round playoff for a remarkable seventh straight season.
However, losses to Jacobs and Crystal Lake South dropped the Trojans to 4-2 in the division and a tie for third place. Prairie Ridge and CL South split the title. That came on the heels of a second-place finish to the Gators in 2011.
With an explosive offense powered by all-area and all-FVC Valley quarterback Quinn Baker (5-11, 185), the Trojans should make a run at their first Valley crown since 2009. The program won six straight titles in the FVC between 2004-09.
“I want to see our guys continue to compete like the other teams I’ve been part of in the last eight years,” said second-year coach Brad Seaburg, who previously coached Cary-Grove’s underclassmen. “I think there’s potential in this group if we can do that and if we can block and tackle and find some juniors and seniors to fill certain spots. We have a lot very good athletes.”
Baker is chief among them. The senior was a Cary-Grove cheerleader’s worst nightmare last season when he scored 18 touchdowns and led the area with 108 points, good for 108 pushups per cheerleader.
Baker is likely to up the ante this time around. He has the vision, deft and speed burst to become the most successful rushing quarterback in the history of the Cary-Grove triple-option offense. As a junior he carried 179 times for 1,104 yards for a 6.2-yard average per carry.
Seaburg hopes to maximize production at the all-important fullback position this fall after moving veteran linebacker Kyle Norberg (6-2, 211) to the position. The third-year varsity player has the frame and athleticism to handle the pounding and produce.
Senior H-back Ryan Mahoney (5-11, 170) dedicated himself in the weight room in the off-season, according to his coach. Mahoney returns for his third varsity season aiming to improve on the 394 yards he gained last season in 88 attempts.
“He’s had a great off-season and he’s gotten really fast,” Seaburg said. “I expect him to have a good year.”
The offensive line returns senior center Greer Bozeman (5-11, 195) and sophomore guard Michael Gomez (5-11, 273), who started as a freshman. A promising addition is sophomore Trevor Ruhland (6-4, 268).
Defensively, all-area and all-conference safety Zach Marszal (6-0, 182) returns. With Norberg now predominantly an offensive player, Marszal is the only returning Trojan defender who started all 11 games in 2011. He finished with 5 interceptions. Seaburg said Marszal will also rotate in on offense at split end.
Norberg will still play some downs at his outside linebacker position in the 3-3-5 defense. Senior linebacker Brock Bussenger (6-2, 205) saw significant action last season when Sam Babick was hurt.
Likewise, defensive lineman Mickey Duncan (6-3, 225) joined the lineup when Sean Bryan was injured. Third-year varsity performer Patrick O’Malley switches from offense to fortify the defensive line. Otherwise, many untested players will get their varsity shot.
“Everyone else was a sophomore last year or on varsity but didn’t start,” Seaburg said.
“I think if our offensive line and our defense come together like I know they can, we’ll be a tough team.”