Hembrey might keep football in his future

Cary-Grove's Alex Hembrey (left) runs the ball past Highland Park's Josiah Kuhn on Nov. 7 at Lake Forest. C-G won the second-round playoff game, 48-28. (Nick Dentamaro – ndentamaro@nwherald.com)

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CARY – The scenario would not be difficult to believe.

Cary-Grove running back Alex Hembrey would have another big game on the artificial turf at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign in today’s 1 p.m. IHSA Class 6A state championship game against Providence Catholic.

Hembrey is fast enough on grass. On turf, he’s even more dangerous. He busts loose for more than 100 yards, scores a touchdown or two, and the Trojans take their first state football title.

Then, Hembrey “retires” from football. An aspiring doctor, someone who was fascinated with medical TV shows as a youngster, he concentrates on academics and never puts on the pads again.

Hembrey rides off into the sunset, never to lose again on a football field.

Before the season, the odds favored Hembrey calling it a career. But the Trojans’ magical ride has stirred something inside Hembrey that has him re-evaluating a possible college career.

“I’ve had more thoughts about playing college football now,” said Hembrey, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior who is one of the area’s fastest players. “The season we’ve had has been a lot of fun. Being with these guys this year makes me want to not stop playing.”

College coaches have kept their eyes on Hembrey, an Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State selection who has rushed for 1,102 yards and 20 touchdowns, with a 9.4-yard average a carry. Fullback Eric Chandler (1,255 yards) passed Hembrey for the team rushing lead last week and has 19 touchdowns.

Hembrey’s junior season was abbreviated by a badly sprained left ankle he suffered in the fourth game. He returned late in the season and finished with 617 yards but was a shadow of his former self.

Now healthy, Hembrey has shown what he’s capable of this season.

“It really shows how much that ankle bothered me,” Hembrey said. “I’m thankful it’s healed, and I don’t think about it at all. It still bothered me at times in baseball when I made cuts a certain way. Once the football season came around, it hasn’t bothered me at all.”

Having Hembrey to provide an outside running threat has made C-G’s offense devastating.

“He’s had a great year, and I’m extremely happy for him,” Trojans coach Bruce Kay said. “He’s another one of the great kids we’ve had who’s worked hard, and that injury really set him back, more so than you would think. He came back and played well, but he was nothing like he is today.”

Hembrey, a third-year varsity starter, played safety as a sophomore before switching to offense last season.

“He’s a really good player and a great leader for us, he really motivates everybody,” C-G guard Ben Luedtke said. “He does a great job running outside and making defenders miss.”

Hembrey was shocked when he heard the news of making All-State last week, an honor he took with humility.

“It’s good, but other guys could have gotten it,” Hembrey said. “Chandler could have gotten it, too. I’m just happy to have the guys around me that we have. Without our coaches, we’d be nothing. Without our offensive line and quarterback [Tyler Krebs], we couldn’t do it. All the guys on offense are having success.

“The good thing about our team is we’re not at all worried about our stats. We’re a great team, and we’re happy with the success.”