CN100 Game of the Week preview: Football Week 5 - Cary-Grove vs. Huntley

IHSA Football Week 5 – Cary-Grove vs. Huntley

HUNTLEY – Huntley has been in the Fox Valley Conference’s Valley Division since 2003, and the one thing that has eluded the Red Raiders in that time is a win over Cary-Grove.
Huntley gets its annual shot at the Trojans, Class 7A runners up a year ago, Friday at 7:15 p.m., a game that will be broadcast by CN100 at Noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, and 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28. You can also see it anytime in HD with Xfinity On Demand.
Both teams enter the conference opener at 4-0. Cary-Grove has turned into one of the state’s powerhouses. The 2009 Class 6A state champions have reached the playoffs 11 straight times. The Trojans went 13-1 last year and are 45-9 under Coach Brad Seaburg, who is in his fifth season at the helm.
The Trojans run the flex bone triple option offense that Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson has popularized. Having a stud like junior fullback Tyler Pennington makes that offense go. Pennington started as a freshman and hasn’t let up. He leads the Trojans with 507 yards and six touchdowns in 99 carries.
As a team, Cary-Grove has rushed for 1,287 yards and 17 touchdowns in 170 carries, an average of 7.6 yards per carry. Junior Ryan Magel contributed 236 yards and three touchdowns in 23 carries, adding two receiving scores. Senior Robbie Gleeson has nine carries for 193 yards and a touchdown, while also recording three catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Senior quarterback J.P. Sullivan is 12-for-16 with 222 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s added 114 yards and a touchdown in 17 carries rushing. Senior tight end James Freskos (four catches, 70 yards) and junior Kyle Pressley (three catches, 79 yards) provide more targets for Sullivan.
The Red Raiders, who have reached the playoffs in two of the past three years, present their own challenges offensively, but do it in a completely different way than Cary-Grove. Huntley employs a spread offense, triggered by senior quarterback Anthony Binetti, who is 50-for-77 for 993 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. He’s added 95 rushing yards and two more scores.
Sophomore Eric Mooney represents the team’s multi-purpose threat with 322 yards and six touchdowns in 23 carries and 13 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown. He’s even 3-for-4 passing for 49 yards. Junior Michael Ahmer (32 carries, 281 yards, one touchdown) and senior Casey Haayer (51 carries, 233 yards, four touchdowns) provide more depth in the backfield.
Five different receivers have at least 100 yards receiving, including junior Alec Coss (12 catches, 329 yards, five touchdowns) and senior Chase Lowenstein (seven catches, 133 yards, three touchdowns).
“Huntley is super talented at every position,” Seaburg said. “They don’t seem to have many weak areas. Their quarterback is experienced and can run or pass. Their skill players are athletic and can make plays. Their offensive line is gigantic, especially compared to our defensive line.”
Defensively, seniors Tyler Larson and Tim McCloyn II have been harassing opposing quarterbacks, combining for six sacks while each racking up 23 tackles. Senior Daniel Dennis has a team-best 29 tackles and three tackles for loss. Senior Ryan Ford has 22 tackles and an interception.
“The keys are to limit big play touchdowns, hold Pennington to less than 100 yards and, for us, scoring in the red zone,” Huntley coach John Hart said.
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

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