Cary-Grove back in playoffs
With the option attack Cary-Grove, under the tutelage of longtime coach Bruce Kay, is primarily a running team.
So, when senior split end Joe Ryan gets an occasional pass thrown his way he knows to be ready.
Playing in his last regular season home game, Ryan hauled in a 68-yard touchdown pass from Corey Laktas late in the first quarter as the Trojans cruised past Dundee-Crown 49-7 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action at Cary-Grove's Al Bohrer Field Friday night. The win secured a playoff berth for the defending Class 6A state champs, the program's seventh straight trip to the postseason.
“The main thing in our offense is that the end has to be a good blocker,” said Ryan. “I know I have to be ready when a pass is thrown my way. Corey threw it perfectly and I didn't have to break stride.
“This team has come a long way this season. We bounced back after the loss to (Crystal Lake) South last week and had a good game tonight. We have gotten better as the season has gone on and we are ready for the playoffs.
The Trojans, winners of 6 of their last 7 games, end the regular season 6-3 and 4-1 in FVC Valley Division play.
“The kids bounced back well after the loss last week,” said Kay. “This team has responded well to adversity all season. We started hard and fast and executed from the beginning. We played well in all areas of the game and we are looking forward to the tournament next week.”
Scoring on all 5 possessions of the first half, the Trojans never gave the Chargers (0-9, 0-5) a chance.
Other than the TD catch by Ryan, Laktas scored on runs of 27 and 4 yards and Patrick O'Malley scored on runs of 10 and 18 yards.
The Trojans' special teams got into the act when Sam Babick blocked a punt which was scooped up by Danny Sarillo, who scampered 22 yards for a score as Cary-Grove led 42-0 at halftime.
The Trojans' lone score of the second half came when Josh Buckingham rambled 57 yards for a TD.
The Chargers' only points of the night came with 2:36 remaining when Tanner Koltan connected with Danny Sharp for a 69-yard TD pass.
“We moved the ball all night, but then we would turn the ball over or have a crucial penalty called on us,” said Charger coach Mike Davis. “We had some positives tonight.”