Tyler Pennington rarely left the field Saturday during Cary-Grove’s 41-7 victory against Libertyville in a Class 7A state semifinal.
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Two plays in particular showed why. He rushed for 119 yards and four touchdowns, none bigger than a 39-yarder up the middle midway through the third quarter that broke Libertyville’s back.
Early in the fourth, with the game in hand, Pennington chased down Libertyville quarterback Riley Lees on a fourth-and-6 and forced a fumble, which was recovered at Libertyville’s 9. Four plays later, Pennington scored from the 1.
“Just playing football with these guys is great. Playing offense or defense, it doesn’t matter,” the sophomore said. “We’re all the same. We all work together and put in the blood and the sweat and the tears. It doesn’t matter where I play, as long as I’m with them.”
Cary-Grove (13-0) will face Providence on Saturday in the state final. .
The Trojans ran the ball methodically and scored on six of their first eight possessions. After quarterback Jason Gregoire hit Larkin Hanselmann for a 29-yard score on the first series, then rushed for a 2-yard score early in the second, Libertyville (9-4) moved 90 yards on 18 plays and drew within six following Lees’ 3-yard TD run with 3 minutes, 12 seconds remaining.
But Cary responded with an 11-play, 68 yard drive, capped by Pennington’s 3-yard run with 16 seconds left to lead Libertyville 20-7 at the half.
Pennington had touchdown runs of 9, 39 and 1 yard in the second half.
“We knew we had to play darn near perfect game to beat them. They capitalize on every mistake you make,” Libertyville coach Mike Jones said.
Player of the game: Tyler Pennington, Cary-Grove, 19 carries, 119 yards, 4 TDs.
Key performers: Cary-Grove — Jason Gregoire, 3-for-6, 95 yards, TD. Libertyville — Riley Lees 10-for-21, 74 yards.
Next: 7A final — Cary-Grove vs. Providence, 4 p.m. Saturday, Champaign.