Cary-Grove skillfully eats up clock, beats Crete-Monee in 6A title game

CHAMPAIGN—Cary-Grove’s offense may or may not have crushed Crete-Monee’s spirt in the third quarter of the Class 6A state title game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. It definitely devoured so much game time that the Warriors were left with little time to respond.

The undefeated Trojans led by nine at the half and swallowed the third quarter with an eleven minute, 20 play, 90-yard scoring drive.

Cary-Grove beat Crete-Monee 35-13 on the scoreboard and 35:21 to 12:39 in time of possession.

“With an offense as explosive as Crete-Monee, to limit them to that number of touches and to get them off the field [is key],” Trojans coach Brad Seaburg said. “What we did today defensively, other teams in the tournament haven’t been able to do. Our guys just battled and did an outstanding job.”

Cary-Grove quarterback Ben McDonald was the maestro. The senior quarterback called the plays and made the crucial decisions in the Trojans’ triple-option attack.

“When you go through a week of preparation like we did, it’s just a matter of execution at that point,” McDonald said.

Cary-Grove players reach for the trophy. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Crete-Monee’s Ricky Johnson (11) weaves his way through Cary-Grove defenders. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Crete-Monee’s Ricky Johnson (11) runs right through the hole. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s fans came out to support the team. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Crete-Monee’s Ricky Johnson (11) spins to a first down. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Max Buss (36) tackles Crete-Monee’s Jamal Safo. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Crete-Monee’s band plays during a time-out. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Ben McDonald (17) throws a pitch. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Ben McDonald (17) covers the ball. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Mitchel Dec (62) and Johnny Gagliano (39) bring down Crete-Monee’s Trayvon Rudolph. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Ben McDonald (17) brakes a tackle. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Ben McDonald (17) stiff arms Crete-Monee’s Kavon Jones (21). Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Danny Daigle (21) steps right out of bounds. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Danny Daigle (21) gets forced out of bounds. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Blake Skol (20) cuts into the end zone. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Blake Skol (20) steps into the end zone. Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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Cary-Grove’s Danny Daigle (21) tries to get away from Crete-Monee’s Kavon Jones (21). Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

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McDonald had 29 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He was 3 for 4 passing for 23 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdown passes were on fourth down plays.

“I don’t know if it has really hit me yet,” Seaburg said. “This group just was able to make plays at really key times. Two fourth down touchdowns. It is great having guys like this that buy in and work as hard as the possibly can for the coaching staff.”

Running back Blake Skol had 26 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown and Danny Daigle had 10 carries for 21 yards.

“It takes the whole week to prepare for a team like Crete-Monee,” Seaburg said. “Against these guys we were never comfortable. We’ve seen these guys comeback time and again in the playoffs. It is never over until the end.”

Crete-Monee quarterback Trayvon Rudolph was 14 for 23 for 174 yards and one touchdown. He had 11 carries for 28 yards. Ronald Carroll Jr. had three carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.

“I’m proud of their efforts,” Crete-Monee coach John Konecki said. “It’s just a pleasure to be able to coach young men like these. It has been a magical year for us.”

Cary-Grove won the Class 6A title in 2009. Fox Valley conference teams have won the last three 6A titles, all had undefeated records.