Cary-Grove savors No. 1 ranking

The Cary-Grove football program has attained a new level of statewide recognition.

The Trojans (5-0) rose to the No. 1 ranking in the latest Associated Press Class 6A football poll, which was released Tuesday evening.

This marks the first time Cary-Grove has ever stood atop a poll in any class, according to Trojans football coach and athletic director Bruce Kay. He said such recognition is flattering but is not the program's primary goal.

"It's a ranking, not a finished place," Kay said. "If we're talking about being No. 1 after Thanksgiving, after the state finals, then we've got something to talk about.

"The recognition is great. Our kids and our parents have worked very hard, so it's reflective of the last five years we've been on this run. I think it's more of a program vote than a one-team vote."

The Trojans had been ranked No. 3 behind East St. Louis and Lemont. However, prior to its first game of the season East St. Louis petitioned the IHSA to be elevated to Class 7A to defend its 2008 Class 7A state title, a petition that was granted last Thursday. The Flyers are now ranked No. 3 in Class 7A.

No. 2 Lemont dropped to fifth in this week's poll following last week's 16-10 overtime loss to unbeaten Hillcrest. Cary-Grove jumped to the top spot after its 57-0 victory over Jacobs on Saturday.

Providence (4-1) is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A, followed by Danville (5-0), Rock Island (4-1) and Lemont (4-1).