Cary-Grove upsets Prairie Ridge in OT
Cary-Grove football coach Brad Seaburg had no interest in playing a second overtime.
“I figured let the chips fall where they may,” said Seaburg. “We were going for the
win.”
Here’s the scenario.
With the score tied at 14 after regulation, Prairie Ridge scored first in overtime on a 6-yard run by Nick Nissen. Craig Greenwald’s kick gave the Wolves a 21-14 lead.
Seaburg then gambled twice on Cary-Grove’s overtime possession and the Trojans executed to perfection both times.
On fourth-and-11, Quinn Baker threw a perfect strike to tight end Zach Marszal for the touchdown. It was Marszal’s first catch of the season. The junior is a starter in the defensive backfield.
“The coaches came to me this week and put a play in for me as a receiver,” said Marszal. “It was a crossing pattern and Quinn put the ball right there. I wanted to make sure I caught the ball.”
Marszal’s score cut the PR lead to 21-20. The Trojans went for the win with the 2-point conversion. Ryan Mahoney took the pitch from Baker and scampered 3 yards for the conversion and the Cary-Grove win.
“Everybody wanted to go for the win,” said Mahoney. “The O-line was awesome and this was a great win against a very, very good team.”
In the end, The Trojans prevailed over previously undefeated Prairie Ridge 22-21 in overtime in exhilarating Fox Valley Conference Valley Division action at Prairie Ridge Athletic Field in Crystal Lake Friday night.
Holding a 14-7 lead with 1:53 remaining, the Trojans (7-2, 4-2) looked to be in good shape for the win. Prairie Ridge had a fourth-and 13 from its own 24 yard line and The Wolves (8-1, 5-1) perfectly executed the hook and ladder pass. Nissen threw a 16-yard completion to Sean Valentine, who pitched to speedster Jordan Getzelman who raced to pay dirt with a 60-yard run. Greenwald’s extra point kick was good which sent the game into the extra session.
The opportunistic Cary-Grove defense forced 3 Prairie Ridge turnovers.
Marszal and Max Kersten recovered fumbles while Owen Carey picked off a Nissen pass.
“The defense was phenomenal all night against a very good Prairie Ridge offense,” said Seaburg, “We slowed them all night with our aggression. The defense really hit hard and played with outstanding energy.”
Baker, who scored on a pair of 1-yard runs, rushed 24 times for 144 yards.