Breakdown of Cary-Grove's Playoff Weekend

Football

#6 Cary-Grove (8-2) at #3 Nazareth (9-1)

When: Saturday, 1 p.m.

Where: Valenta Stadium, 1209 W. Odgen Ave., LaGrange Park

Trojans on Offense: Cary has their issues getting the offense going last week against Crystal Lake Central but still managed to get a 17-7 win.

Quinn Baker has taken the quarterback role and has led Cary in rushing most of the season. Nazareth is only allowing 17 points a game and the many options that come from the triple option offense the Trojans run will come into play. C-G tried to throw the ball more last week as well and while this could be something to throw another wrinkle into any opponent’s gameplan, it is something that may come into action if Cary wants to advance to the Class 6A Quarterfinals.

Trojans on Defense: This is where C-G’s 3-3-5 defense may cause issues for a team that doesn’t normally see it. Nazareth has scored 24 or more points in each of their last eight wins. Cary will need a similar effort like they had against Central. One player that the Trojans will need to watch for is running back Joshua Moore. If Moore can be slowed down by the Cary defense, the chances grow up for a Trojans win.

Volleyball

Cary-Grove (35-4) vs. Stevenson (31-8)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Lake Zurich High School

There should be time for the football fans to make it back to Lake Zurich for this one as Cary sits one step from the state tournament looking to make their third straight appearance downstate. All season long, the senior combo of Melanie Jereb and Ashley Rosch have been leaders on another solid C-G team.

Now, the Patriots stand in the way but Cary has already beaten Stevenson twice this season, both at the Jacobs Invitational. Rosch had 13 kills in Thursday’s sectional title game win over Huntley while Jereb had ten kills. Cary is hungry to have another chance at a state title after falling in last season’s Class 4A championship game.