Cary-Grove can never be counted out
To dismiss Cary-Grove's chances in the Fox Valley Conference based solely on who it lost from its 2014 Class 7A runner-up would be to overlook some important intangibles.
Sure, the Trojans return only two full-time defensive starters and five on offense (counting standout junior fullback/linebacker Tyler Pennington on both sides of the ball).
However, due to Cary-Grove's overwhelming success last season several backups played the bulk of second halves against the opposition's first string.
Additionally, everyone on the expanded playoff roster, including a number of called-up freshmen and sophomores, soaked in five extra weeks of varsity practices, taught by one of the deepest coaching staffs in the suburbs.
Besides, a program like Cary-Grove that has won at least one playoff game for 11 straight seasons and has reached the quarterfinals in eight of those years doesn't accept the dreaded "R" word.
"I don't know what the word rebuild means at Cary-Grove," said fifth-year coach Brad Seaburg, who since taking over for hall-of-famer Bruce Kay has gone 41-9 with two second-place finishes in 7A. "Our expectation is the same as it is every year: week in and week out we want to play hard, compete and execute. We hope by the end of the year we're in position to win conference, make the playoffs and make a run."
Pennington's return gives the Trojans a key cog on both sides of the ball. In the state championship game against Providence last November, he carried the ball 39 times for 180 yards and 2 touchdowns, registered 2 solo tackles and 2 assists and played special teams throughout.
Pennington's 35 touchdowns in 2014 shattered the single-season school record of 26. In two varsity seasons he has rushed for 2,848 yards and 43 touchdowns in 450 attempts (6.3 avg.).
The good news? Pennington has some experienced teammates returning in backfield mate Kevin Hughes (41 carries, 329 yards, 5 TDs) and tight ends Erik Norberg and Jimmy Freskos.
However, he'll run behind a new-look offensive line that returns only senior Owen Henriques (6-0, 195), having graduated dominant linemen Trevor Ruhland (Notre Dame), Michael Gomez (Winona State) and center 6-5 center Scotty Topole.
"Everyone in the state is perhaps aware of who we don't have coming back on the line this year," Seaburg said, "but our kids really want to succeed this year so we've got a real gritty group of guys that work hard. I think they're making a lot of progress."
The new offensive line will include Ross Bernier (6-2, 235), who often spelled Gomez the past two seasons, and Zach Cohen (5-11, 245), who started against McHenry last season when Topole missed a game due to injury.
Taking over at quarterback is senior John Sullivan (6-0, 180), who saw his share of second-half game action last year. Sullivan completed 5 of 11 passes for 86 yards and 3 touchdowns and was intercepted once. He also rushed 28 times for 211 yards and 2 scores.
Also in the offensive backfield mix are juniors Kyle Pressley and speedster Ryan Magel. Pressley moves from fullback to the slot. Magel is a speedster whose 1,600-meter relay team qualified last spring for the state meet.
Defensively, Pennington returns at linebacker. The only full-time starter joining him is lineman Alex Prendergast, who plays multiple techniques. He'll be joined on the line by Norberg (6-2, 222) and junior Nick Cruz.
Hughes and Freskos are expected to play defense. The coaching staff also likes what they've seen from sophomore Max Skol (5-10, 175). He'll play the hybrid linebacker spot in the 3-3-5 defense Matt Sutherland manned the last few years, and he'll play a to-be-determined role on offense, Seaburg said.
As always, the Cary-Grove defense is predicated on speed, not size.
"In this day and age football is not one guy bringing down a ball carrier," Seaburg said. "Our philosophy dictates we want to get many guys to the football. We don't want anyone to be on an island making a solo tackle. Our defensive strength is recognizing what an opponent wants to do and then getting to the ball.
"Hopefully by Week 1, we're right where we need to be."