Kerrigan FG lets Trojans move on
Cary-Grove kicker Marcus Kerrigan has felt the sting over the last year.
The pain has been alleviated.
Kerrigan, who missed a key extra point in overtime in a Class 7A second round playoff loss a year ago to DeLaSalle, got his redemption when he boomed a 19-yard field goal with 48.5 seconds to play Saturday to give the second-seeded Trojans a 10-7 second round win over St. Charles East at Cary's Al Bohrer Field.
"I am sick of answering questions about last year," said Kerrigan. "I was hoping we would score a touchdown, but I was ready to kick. I got plenty of foot and I knew I had made it. I got a great hold from Mike Ryan and a great snap from David Moreno. It was a great feeling."
Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay believes in Kerrigan's abilities.
"I had confidence in Marcus last year and I had confidence in Marcus this season," said Kay. "I know it was very gratifying for Marcus. He really works at his kicking. He has had some back issues but he is fine now."
Cary-Grove (11-0) will travel to Fox Valley Conference rival and sixth seeded Crystal Lake South (9-2) for a quarterfinal game Saturday. Probable game time is 1 p.m. South knocked off Rockford Boylan 28-0 Saturday.
The Trojans set up Kerrigan's heroics by marching 64 yards on 11 plays, moving the ball to the 2 yard line. Eric Chandler, who rushed for 121 yards on 23 carries and scored on a 32-yard run, carried the ball 7 times for 45 yards on the drive.
"We shot ourselves in the foot all night long," said Kay. On that last drive, we ran hard, Tyler (Krebs) ran the option well and our offensive line blocked well. The guys did a great job."
With one last chance to score, the Saints only moved to their own 28 before the drive was thwarted on an interception by Cary-Grove defensive back Jake Underwood.
"I dropped back and read the quarterback's eyes and the ball was right in my hands," said Underwood. "Our defense all night long was outstanding."
The Trojans' defense held St. Charles East standout running back Wesley Allen to 20 carries for 87 yards and a 2-yard TD run. Allen, who gained 66 yards in the fourth quarter, had only 21 yards through 3 quarters.
"(Allen) is a very very good running back but our defense did a great job on him," said Underwood. "We saw a lot of film on him and we were prepared to face him."
The Saints (7-4), who managed only 89 yards rushing, had 118 yards passing. Quarterback Tim Russell was 9-of-18 with an interception.
"Our defense played a great game allowing a great offense like Cary-Grove to 10 points," said St. Charles East coach Ted Monken. "Their offense does a great job of stretching the field and we did a good job of slowing them down with our pursuit. Offensively, we moved the ball but couldn't get in the end zone enough. If you only score 7 points in the playoffs you are going home and turning your gear in on Monday."