It's all clicking for Class 6A semifinalist Cary-Grove
After allowing Highland Park and St. Viator 49 total points in the first 2 playoff wins, Cary-Grove defensive coordinator Don Sutherland knew the Trojans would need a better effort if they were going to throttle De La Salle's high-octane offense.
Sutherland didn't need to worry. The Trojans' defense was simply outstanding.
Holding the Meteors to 167 yards of total offense and 12 first downs, the defense pitched a shutout in a 42-0 thumping of De La Salle in a Class 6A quarterfinal game played at Cary-Grove's Al Bohrer Field Saturday afternoon.
Top-seeded Cary-Grove (12-0) will host District 155 sister school Prairie Ridge (9-3) next weekend in a semifinal game. No. 10 Prairie Ridge advanced to the Final Four with a 28-20 win over No. 14 Belvidere North Saturday.
"It was a great, great effort by our defense," Sutherland said. "Highland Park was a running team and maybe we paid too much attention to the run and they got some big passing plays on us. De La Salle has so many weapons and their quarterback (Juwan Martin) is a great athlete who can make big plays. We had great pressure on the quarterback, plus the coverage was outstanding. We did a great job of jamming their receivers and the communication was outstanding."
The Trojan defense sacked Martin 5 times, 2 by linebacker Stuart Gaulke.
"We knew we had to get pressure on the quarterback," said Gaulke. "He is a great athlete. We watched a lot of film and the coaches had us ready to play."
While the Trojan defense excelled, the Cary-Grove option offense also thrived.
Compiling 423 yards on the ground, the Trojans were led by punishing running back Eric Chandler, who bulldozed through the Meteor defense for 181 yards on 15 carries and had a touchdown run of 39 yards.
"We had excellent focus in practice all week," said Chandler. "We wanted to set the tone early and the offensive line was opening huge holes. We played with a lot of heart and we are excited about playing in the semifinals next week."
Alex Hembrey added 108 yards on 11 carries for the Trojans with scoring runs of 9 and 59 yards while quarterback Tyler Krebs, who ran the option to near perfection, rambled for 89 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown run of 21 yards.
"We were outstanding in every aspect of the game," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "Offense, defense, kickoff coverage and extra points. The kids played very well. The defense was incredible. We wanted to put pressure on the quarterback and make
him uncomfortable and we did that."
The Trojans jumped on the Meteors with 14 points in each of the first two quarters to lead 28-0 at halftime. Krebs got Cary-Grove on the board with a 21-yard touchdown run, which was followed by a 39-yard run from Chandler and a 9-yard run by Hembrey.
Cary-Grove unleashed the passing game, when Krebs connected with Chad McCarron for a 23-yard score with 32 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Trojans a 4-score advantage after 24 minutes of play.
Cary-Grove made sure there wouldn't be a Meteor comeback when Hembrey scampered 59 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half. Steven Hapanovich scored the Trojans' last touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run early in the fourth quarter.
"We came out flat and you can't do that against a quality team like Cary-Grove," Meteors coach Dan O' Keefe said. "Our kids got to the ball carrier but didn't wrap up. If you don't wrap up, the Cary-Grove running backs will run through you. Give Cary-Grove credit. They not only run the option well, but their defense is very good. They are a smart disciplined team and they don't make mistakes."