Cary-Grove still the favorite
The Cary-Grove football program has epitomized regular-season dominance for the last five years, a trend unlikely to change in 2009.
The list of accomplishments since 2004 is impressive:
Cary-Grove has won five straight undefeated Fox Valley Conference or Valley Division titles.
The Trojans have won 45 of their last 46 regular-season games dating back to Week 9 of the 2003 season, running the table 9-0 four of the last five years. Their only loss in that span was a 16-14 verdict against District 155 rival Prairie Ridge in Week 2 of the 2007 season by a field goal at the horn.
Cary-Grove enters this season on a 33-game, regular-season winning streak in league games. Their last conference loss occurred in Week 8 of the 2003 season, a 35-28 defeat against Woodstock.
Cary-Grove's regular season success has translated to some deep playoff runs: one state title game appearance (2004), three state quarterfinal appearances (2005, 2006, 2008) and one second-round playoff appearance (2007).
The scary part for the rest of the Fox Valley Conference and potential playoff foes? The 2009 Cary-Grove offense could be one of the best in program history, bigger, faster and more experienced than last year's attack that averaged 27.4 points per game.
Returning to the triple-option backfield are senior quarterback Tyler Krebs (5-7, 160), all-area senior fullback Eric Chandler (5-10, 190), play-making senior running back/kick returner Alex Hembrey (5-10, 170) and senior Steve Hapanovich (6-1, 182), who saw plenty of playing time last season when Hembrey missed half the season with a leg injury. Chandler did the heavy lifting last season with 207 carries for 1,204 yards and 17 touchdowns.
As for the offensive line? "We anticipate this line to be better than last year's," said Bruce Kay, who begins his 21st season as Cary-Grove's head coach. "We're bigger and we're more athletic."
Athletic senior Matt Liebforth (6-0, 225), who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.9 seconds, moves across the ball from nose tackle to play tackle. Junior wrestler Rich Kersten (6-3, 220) will play the other tackle. Senior Hayden Baker (6-2, 245) moves to center, and guards Ben Luedtke (6-2, 255) and Sean Considine (6-0, 238) join the starting lineup after playing backup roles a year ago.
Leading receiver, senior Chad McCarron (6-3, 184), made 14 receptions last season for 261 yards and 2 touchdowns, and senior receiver Jake Fields (6-3, 185) should get his share of catches, particularly if McCarron's skills are needed at safety.
Middle linebacker Nick Underwood (6-1, 216) returns to lead the defense, which should be solid again if not as fast as past Trojan defenses overall since the bulk of the team's top athletes are being used on offense.
Stu Gaulke (5-11, 186) moves from safety to linebacker and either senior Kyle Liebforth (5-10, 195) or senior Bryan Lorman (6-0, 195) will man the third 'backer spot. Also returning are cornerback Trent Sorensen (6-1, 160) and senior strong safety Danny Scott (5-10, 170). Other impact defenders include junior free safety Alex Lyons (5-10, 150) and senior nose Jack McMullin (5-1, 250).
More regular-season success seems a foregone conclusion. Could this be the squad that spurns the bad luck that has plagued recent Cary-Grove playoff teams and advances past the quarterfinal round for the first time since 2004?
"One play here or there and we're there," Kay said of those close playoff losses. "We need a little bit of luck. If we stay healthy, we can be real good."