Cary-Grove survives scare from McHenry
This game was one reason why you play football on the field and not on paper.
Coming into its Fox Valley Conference Valley Division matchup with McHenry, Cary-Grove had outscored its opponents to the tune of 283-6.
The scene Friday night at Al Bohrer Field was much different, and much closer on the scoreboard as the Trojans needed a late fourth quarter touchdown to knock off the Warriors 31-28.
Facing a fourth and 4 at the McHenry 9-yard line with just over 24 seconds left, C-G quarterback Tyler Krebs spotted running back Alex Hembrey to his right and connected on a touchdown pass to keep C-G's record spotless at 7-0 and 3-0 in Valley play.
"We knew that route would be open," said Hembrey. "We ran that play earlier. Tyler spotted me and his pass was on target. However, I was looking right into the lights, and I almost lost it, but I was able to hang on."
Hembrey was also very quick to congratulate McHenry (3-4, 2-1 in Valley) on a tremendous game.
"Hats off to them (McHenry)," he added. "They played a heck of a game and really played well."
It was a roller coaster of emotions for both teams in the second half. With McHenry holding a 7-3 halftime lead behind quarterback Thomas Rose and a stellar defensive effort, C-G wound up scoring 21 unanswered points, with Hembrey hauling in his first touchdown of the game on a 22-yard strike from Krebs.
After a Trojan blocked punt, Krebs took it in on the next play from 8 yards out, and on their next drive, hooked up with receiver Chad McCarron on an 18-yard score.
Then it was McHenry's turn in the fourth quarter to put up their 21 unanswered points. Rose, who threw for 342 yards, found Corey Szamlewski for a 21-yard TD. McHenry then recovered an Eric Chandler fumble, and Rose capped that drive with a 9-yard strike to Trevor Marunde (14 catches, 161 yards).
The Warriors then got a huge break and fell on an on-side kick after a huge collision that popped the ball free. Nine plays later, Jake Howe gave McHenry the lead 28-24 with his 5 yard run.
"We really wanted to win this game, added Rose. "We worked our butts off for this. We wanted to show everyone that we are not just a 3-3 football team. I'm really proud of our team and how we played."
"Phenomenal game," said McHenry head coach Tim Beagle. "Cary-Grove is a great team. They're always ready to play after halftime. They made adjustments and hit us early on in the third. It ended up coming down to the last play of the game."