Cary-Grove 54, Crystal Lake S. 0
Rarely is a game decided on the first play from scrimmage.
This one was.
Running the option to perfection, Cary-Grove quarterback A.J. Hoger darted through the Crystal Lake South defense unscathed for a 61-yard touchdown.
After the extra point kick by Marcus Kerrigan, the Trojans held a 7-0 lead with only 18 seconds elapsed.
The Trojans never looked back.
Cary-Grove, ranked No. 8 in Class 7A throttled No. 7 Crystal Lake South 54-0 in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division game at South's Ken Bruhn Field Friday night.
"Anytime you can score on the first play of the game there is a tremendous upside," said Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay. "The kids played outstanding. Everybody gave a great effort."
With the win, the Trojans (7-1, 4-0), clinched a tie for the Valley Division title. A victory by Cary-Grove over Woodstock next weekend gives the Trojans their fourth consecutive conference crown.
Leading 7-0 after one quarter, Cary-Grove took control of the game with 19 unanswered points in the second quarter. Hoger scored on runs of 1 and 2 yards and sophomore Eric Chandler got into the act with a 20-yard score as Cary-Grove led 26-0 at intermission.
Hoger, who scored 3 touchdowns, ran 17 times for 92 yards. He also threw a 36-yard TD pass to Dan McCall.
Our offense really clicked," said Hoger. "We wanted to set the tone so it was huge to score on the first play of the game. The line was outstanding."
Bolstered by an offensive line which consisted of senior tight end Evan Straumann, tackles Ryan Grambo and John Carroll, guards Mike Yocius and Brandon Coleman along with center Kevin McCowan, the Trojans amassed 315 yards on the ground in 48 attempts and picked up 26 first downs.
"The offensive line was outstanding," said Kay. "They are getting better every week and are playing well together."
The Cary-Grove defense was just as impressive as the offense.
The Trojans held the Gators rushing attack to 5 yards on 19 carries. South quarterback Ian Ormseth was picked off 3 times, twice by Max Timmons and one by Jake Underwood, who returned it 57 yards for a touchdown. Kent Grambo also had a fumble recovery as the Cary-Grove defense forced 4 Gator miscues.
"We worked all week on stopping the run and then we adjusted and stopped their pass," said Timmons. "We had a great game plan. On the two interceptions, I was able to read pass and get in the right position to make the play.
Crystal Lake South coach Jim Stuglis blamed himself for the Gators' lackluster performance.
"It is disappointing because I totally got out-coached," said Stuglis. "Coach Kay had his team ready to play and I didn't. This loss was my fault. Coach Kay is a much better coach than I am. I didn't put our kids in the position to be successful."