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Defense will be key in Lake Zurich, Cary-Grove game

By Jerry Fitzpatrick

jfitzpatrick@dailyherald.com

Lake Zurich (0-1) at (1-0) Cary-Grove Nonconference

Game time: 7:15 p.m. Friday.

Last week: Fremd 10, Lake Zurich 7; Cary-Grove 21, Prairie Ridge 14;

Last year: Cary-Grove 24, Lake Zurich 7

Outlook: Lake Zurich is 0-1 for the first time since 2009, a season in which the Bears reached a state semifinal. Last week against Fremd, senior quarterback Joey Lindstrom threw for 129 yards on 14-of-24 passing and was intercepted once. The Bears' normally potent rushing attack was limited to 93 yards.

The sledding isn't likely to get easier against a Cary-Grove defense that limited run-centric Prairie Ridge to 206 total yards, 171 on the ground via 33 carries (5.2 avg.).

The Cary-Grove offense gained 302 total yards last week behind a mostly revamped offensive line. Junior fullback Tyler Pennington was effective as usual, rushing 38 times for 167 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown.

Quarterback J.P. Sullivan enjoyed a successful starting debut. He rushed for 48 yards, including a 25-yard score, and threw for another. Cary-Grove, ranked No. 3 in Class 6A, will face a typically solid Lake Zurich defense.

"There's a consistency within their program," Trojans coach Brad Seaburg said. "They graduate players and the next guy comes up, plays hard, plays disciplined and plays with low pads. They don't have a lot of size but it doesn't matter because they play so fast." This is the sixth straight season these former conference foes have met in Week 2. The Trojans hold a 3-2 series edge.

Next week: Grayslake North at Cary-Grove; Lake Zurich at Stevenson

  Defensive players go through drills during football practice Monday at Lake Zurich High School. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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