Scouting Cary-Grove at Hubbard
No. 11 Cary-Grove Trojans (6-3) at No. 6 Hubbard Greyhounds (8-1)
When: Saturday at 7 p.m. at Gately Stadium
Last week: Cary-Grove def. Dundee-Crown, 49-7; Hubbard 22, Raby 0
Playoff history: Cary-Grove, the defending Class 6A state champion, is in the playoffs for the seventh straight season and 17th time overall. Hubbard makes its 16th straight appearance in the state playoffs and 19th overall. The Greyhounds were defeated last season in the second round of the playoffs by Belvidere North.
Coaches: Bruce Kay, Cary-Grove; Elton Harris, Hubbard
Fast facts: Hubbard's first loss came in Week 8 against Morgan Park, 28-20. The Greyhounds have reached the playoffs in all 16 seasons under the direction of Harris. Cary-Grove last played at Gately Stadium in the 2004 Class 7A semifinals, when Brian Mitz ran for a late touchdown to lift the Trojans to victory, 21-14. Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay owns a postseason record of 24-11 (.686).
Cary-Grove leaders: Rushing: Ryan Mahoney, 69 carries, 621 yards, 10 touchdowns; Patrick O'Malley, 112 carries, 578 yards, 9 touchdowns; Nick Jimenez, 35 carries, 399 yards, 2 touchdowns. Passing: Corey Laktas, 25 of 51 for 517 yards and 8 touchdowns (6 ints.). Receiving: Mahoney, 10 receptions, 175 yards, 1 touchdown.
Hubbard leaders: Rushing: Johnathan McClellan, 97 carries for 701 yards and 6 touchdowns; quarterback Quincy Skanes, 43 carries for 572 yards and 8 touchdowns. Passing: Skanes, 22 of 48 for 348 yards. Tackles: Kyjuan Tate, 43.
Line on Cary-Grove: The Trojans hope to offset Hubbard's speedy defense with its masterful misdirection offense, the triple option. Fortifying that offense is guard Jimmy Allen (6-0, 250). He missed the McHenry and Crystal Lake South games with an injury and the offense missed the push he gave it at the point of attack. Allen returned to the lineup last week and should be at full strength for the playoffs, according to coach Bruce Kay. The Trojans have won six straight first-round playoff games.
Line on Hubbard: The Greyhounds operate offensively behind quarterback Skanes, a three-year starter, and rely on the speed of McClellan. However, the offense has been undercut the last two weeks by multiple injuries along the offensive line. Nevertheless, the Trojans know Skanes and McClellan can make things happen. "They are very athletic," Kay said of the Greyhounds. "They've got size, speed. They run multiple formations on offense and they have big-play potential."
Advancement: The winner advances to play the winner of today's 3:15 p.m. game between No. 14 DuSable (5-4) at No. 3 Robeson (9-0)