Cary-Grove takes it to Crystal Lake South
Cary-Grove celebrated Senior Night Friday but it was Trojans' juniors Tyler Pennington, Ryan Magel and Kyle Pressley who seized the spotlight.
The trio of backs combined for 385 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns as the Trojans ended the regular season by trouncing Crystal Lake South 43-0 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action at Cary-Grove's Al Bohrer Field.
The game was contested in a steady downpour.
Pennington, who scored the Trojans' first 2 touchdowns of the night on runs of 1 and 2 yards, bulldozed his way to 125 yards on 31 carries. The Trojans (8-1, 4-1) led 15-0 at halftime.
"With the way the conditions were I figured I would get the ball a lot," said Pennington. "I enjoy playing in this type of weather. The offensive line as usual were outstanding."
The Trojans, who won their last 3 regular season games by a combined score of 142-26, received a 142-yard effort by Magel including a 72-yard TD run. The junior also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from JP Sullivan.
"The way Tyler runs inside it really opens up things on the outside," said Magel. "On the sweeps everybody executed their blocks perfectly."
Pressley made the most of 3 carries for 118 yards and a fourth quarter TD run of 74 yards.
Senior back Robbie Gleeson scored on a 6-yard TD run for the Trojans, who scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.
"All our backs are really running well," said Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg. "We were really able to possess the ball especially in first half."
The Trojans' defense totally stymied the Crystal Lake South (5-4, 2-3) offense.
The Gators, who managed only 2 first downs for the evening, totaled 48 yards rushing on 25 carries. Junior quarterback Luke Nolan completed 2-of-7 passes for 2 yards as South compiled just 50 yards of total offense.
"This was the third straight game the defense was outstanding," said Seaburg, "We are really flying to the ball and all our guys are making the right reads. We shut down a very good South offense."
Crystal Lake South coach Chuck Ahsmann was impressed with Cary-Grove.
"They really possessed the ball in the first half, but we thought we were in pretty good shape only down 15-0 at halftime," said the South coach. "We had some stupid penalties but give their defense credit."