Time to ‘raise the bar’

Cary-Grove quarterback Tyler Krebs runs the ball against Chicago De La Salle on Nov. 14 in a state quarterfinal game in Cary. C-G won, 42-0, and will face Providence Catholic at 1 p.m. today for the IHSA Class 6A state championship at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. (Nick Dentamaro – ndentamaro@nwherald.com)

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CHAMPAIGN – Cary-Grove strove to get back to Memorial Stadium each of the past four seasons, but was beaten each time.

There were quarterfinal losses to rival Crystal Lake South in 2005 and 2008. There was a heartbreaking quarterfinal loss to Batavia in 2006, then another gut-wrencher against Chicago De La Salle in 2007, both games C-G led until the final moments.

The Trojans weren’t letting any team get in their way this time. C-G steamrolled its four playoff opponents by a combined score of 187-56 to reach Champaign, just like its heroes from 2004. C-G (13-0) meets Providence Catholic (12-1) for the IHSA Class 6A state championship at 1 p.m. today at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium.

“The first thing we wanted to have was just an opportunity,” Trojans quarterback Tyler Krebs said. “Now that we have the opportunity, we really have the possibility of bringing it home.”

C-G has been on top of its game lately. The Trojans’ offense has been unstoppable, and the defense has allowed only one touchdown in the past eight quarters.

Providence will present a more difficult challenge. The Celtics have nine state titles in their storied history and played one of the toughest schedules in the state. They won the rugged Chicago Catholic League Blue Division and played seven teams that made the playoffs.

“We’re confident; we’re looking forward to going out there,” C-G senior guard Sean Considine said. “We have to go out and execute our game plan, use our technique and play low and fast.”

C-G already has celebrated its first team title in school history – the Class 4A state volleyball championship – for two weeks. Now, the Trojans have a chance to grab another state title trophy.

“This week’s going to be, more than ever, a huge week of preparation,” Krebs said. “Not only physically, but most important mentally. Everybody has to know what they’re doing out there. We have a tremendous opportunity here. I think we’ll be able to do it.”

The Trojans played Libertyville for the Class 7A state championship in 2004, losing 13-3. Many of the current C-G players were at Memorial Stadium for the 2004 title game and dreamed of one day running out on the artificial turf in the Trojans’ navy-and-white uniforms.

Since the start of the 2004 season the Trojans are 68-6 and have lost just one regular-season game.

“[The 2004 team] started it,” C-G coach Bruce Kay said. “The one that goes the furthest is the team. Prior to ’04 it was the ’97 team [which made the semifinals]. The one that does it raises the bar.”

The players from 2004 have been the some of the current Trojans’ biggest supporters.

“A lot of players said they stepped on the field and were really nervous,” running back Alex Hembrey said. “They don’t want us to be nervous. Those older guys inspired us and have been there along the way. They’re talking to us after games, telling us to ‘Go get it done.’ ”