Stellar defense lifts C-G by Jacobs

All Kyle Leibforth could see was green and the end zone.

The Cary-Grove linebacker intercepted a pass from Jacobs' Eric Starr and rambled 12 yards for a touchdown to give the Trojans a 21-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

Leibforth was just one of the defensive stars for the Trojans as Cary-Grove moved to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in Fox Valley Conference Valley Division play with a 41-0 whitewashing of Jacobs in conference action in Algonquin.

"I dropped an interception that could have been a touchdown against Marian (Central), " said Leibforth. "I wasn't going to drop this one. The defensive line put great pressure on the quarterback and the ball fell right in my hands. It was a great feeling."

The Trojans stifled Jacobs' offense all night. Jacobs managed only 13 yards rushing and 47 passing for 60 yards total. The Cary-Grove defense held Jacobs to 4 first downs and intercepted 3 passes and recovered a fumble. Matt Nelsen and Trent Sorensen joined Leibforth with interceptions while Stuart Gaulke recovered a fumble. The Trojans sacked Starr 6 times, 2 by Brandon Coleman. Coleman also deflected 2 passes.

"Our defense really carried us," said Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay. "They just shut down Jacobs and were always in the right position. They were outstanding. We put a lot of pressure on the quarterback and forced some turnovers."

Despite committing 3 turnovers, Cary-Grove led 14-0 at halftime. Jonas Mack scored from 27 yards out and Tyler Krebs scooted 4 yards for a score as the Trojans led by 14 at halftime.

"The first half was the worse half we have played all season long," said Kay. "The fumbles were unforced turnovers. It is something we talked about at halftime. It was like our first game. We were in too much of a hurry."

Led by a big night by junior back Eric Chandler, the Trojans broke the game open in the second half. Chandler, who rushed for 231 yards on 21 carries, scored from 5 and 46 yards out as the Trojans ripped off 27 unanswered points.

"With Alex (Hembrey) out (ankle injury), everybody has to step up," said Chandler. "The blocking was great and the holes were huge."

Kay was impressed with Chandler's effort.

"Jonas, Tyler and Alex have had breakout games, tonight was Eric's breakout game," said Kay. "He was really hitting the holes fast and running hard."

Mack added 103 yards on 12 carries and 2 scores as the Trojans rushed the ball 48 times for 378 yards.

Chris Zaio, Dale Cook and Garret Davis recovered fumbles for Jacobs.

"We are really struggling right now," said Jacobs coach Dean Schlueter. "They are a great football team that executes well and is well coached."