Lorman’s first catch of season crucial for C-G

Cary-Groves' Bryan Lorman makes a catch during the IHSA Class 6A championship football game against Providence Catholic on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. Cary-Grove won, 34-17. (AP Photo/Bradley Leeb) (Bradley Leeb (FRE))

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CHAMPAIGN – Cary-Grove senior Bryan Lorman couldn’t have picked a better time for his first reception of the season.

Lorman, who was moved to split end late in the season, caught a tipped ball for a 37-yard gain that led to a second-quarter touchdown in C-G’s 34-17 victory against Providence Catholic in the IHSA Class 6A state championship game Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

The play came on third-and-16 from C-G’s 37-yard line after a penalty for offensive pass interference. Lorman, who had the Trojans’ fastest 40-yard dash time, was behind a defender when quarterback Tyler Krebs cut loose his throw.

“I knew I had him beat, and it was tipped right to me,” Lorman said. “I could just see it through the sun.”

Lorman’s brother, Andrew, was a sophomore defensive back on the Trojans’ Class 7A state runner-up team in 2004. Andrew now plays safety at NCAA Division II Grand Valley State.

“Andrew’s experience here, they didn’t know what to expect,” Bryan said. “It looked like we could have won that game [a 13-3 loss to Libertyville]. That motivated all of us to get here and win today.”

Big-time matchup: One of the most intriguing matchups of the game took place in the middle with a pair of All-State players, C-G center Hayden Baker and Providence nose tackle Steve Laski.

Laski, a 260-pound senior, bench presses 550 pounds. Baker weighs 245 and was on the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 6A All-State team with Laski.

“[Laski] is a pretty strong boy,” Baker said. “I lost some battles, and I won some battles. I think I won more than I lost. I had some good help from my guards [Ben Luedtke and Sean Considine].”

Celebration: C-G principal Jay Sargeant said there would be a state championship celebration at C-G’s Al Bohrer Field at 1 p.m. today.

“I don’t think we can fit everybody in the gym,” Sargeant said.

Just like home: As is tradition after C-G games, the players walked in front of the stands and shook hands with their fans after the championship win.

The only thing that was missing was Bruce Springsteen’s song “Raise Your Hand.”

Making the list: Marian Central has the most state football titles in area history with four Class 2A championships (1983, 1986, 1987 and 1989).

Woodstock won the Class 4A title in 1983 and the Class 5A title in 1997. Richmond-Burton won the Class 2A title in 1992.

C-G has done something no other area school accomplished with two state team titles in the same school year. The C-G girls volleyball team won the Class 4A championship two weeks ago.