Cary-Grove calls it playing “low and fast,” which is how you do things when you’re almost always at a size disadvantage.
On a chilly Friday night during which Cary-Grove’s offense was outgained 233-164 by host Crystal Lake South, a mistake-free Trojans defense continually stole the show in a 17-3 victory..
Cary-Grove quarterback Quinn Baker scored two touchdowns and the Trojans’ defense spent most of the game in South’s backfield, registering three sacks and five tackles for loss in the Fox Valley Valley Division showdown.
“We just keep flying around out there,” senior defensive back Kasey Fields said of C-G’s defense. “It’s what coach preaches to us day and night. To play really hard, all game long because we don’t have a lot of size. But we have a lot of heart and play great, low and fast.”
Fields intercepted Austin Rogers on the game’s second play, returning it 9 yards to the 19. Four plays later, Baker scored from the 1 for a 7-0 lead.
Baker added a 3-yard run two possessions later, after Ryan Mahoney’s 32-yard run on first down set up the five-play, 80-yard scoring drive to stake the Trojans (3-0) to a 14-0 halftime lead.
Matt Hughes and Brock Bussenger each had sacks in the first half, when Cary also had three tackles for loss.
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“It’s a ball. It’s just so fun out there,” Hughes said. “We’re playing really well right now. But we can always improve.”
Player of the game: Matt Hughes, Cary-Grove, sack, tackle for loss.
Key performers: Cary-Grove — Quinn Baker, 3-for-6, 50 yards; 11 carries, 28 yards, 2 TDs; Ryan Mahoney, 7 carries, 53 yards. Crystal Lake South — Zevin Clark, 18 carries, 94 yards; Austin Rogers, 12 carries, 51 yards; 8-for-22, 74 yards.