As the 2021 Cary-Grove varsity football team ran onto the field, the cheers of the CG faithful made it clear: It is so freaking good to be back. 

After two years without a full Cary-Grove crowd because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the first full-fan showing at a Cary-Grove football game in far too long took place last night.

CG students cheered mighty loudly, decked out in navy blue and white, chanting and having fun throughout the game. As points accumulated on the scoreboard, they counted how many pushups the cheerleaders could do. It was a joyous night for Cary-Grove High School.

The game was no different. CG forced a quick punt for Dundee-Crown, and then took their first drive of the season all the way downfield, scoring the first touchdown of the season on a run by senior starting quarterback Jameson Sheehan. Sheehan had a great game overall, rushing for a second touchdown in the second quarter and throwing two touchdown passes.

Cary-Grove turned to their second-string quarterback, sophomore Gavin Henriques, for the start of the second half. He held the fort down for CG, not letting the Dundee-Crown defense start a comeback for their team. Senior Liam Waco did well with some reps late in the game, too.

There is not a lot to be criticized about the team’s performance. Overall, the quarterbacks looked good and the running attack came in bunches, including a touchdown run by sophomore Jack Rocen and another by senior Wade Abrams. 

The defense shined, picking off Dundee-Crown three times, the first one on the second Dundee-Crown drive, the last a pick-six. It was called back, however, due to an illegal block in the back on the interception return. The special teams unit did well, and the kick team blocked two punts to give the CG offense great field position. 

 “Our kids just did a really nice job up front, and when they blocked those punts, it really changed the game and we were able to score pretty quickly, and get a lead on them,” Head Coach Brad Seaburg said.

“I think our guys played really hard, played fast, did the best they could,” he said. “We were able to execute really well on offense and defense, and overall it was a good game.”

The thousands of CG fans in attendance would certainly agree, as they went home happy after the 51-10 blowout. Some weren’t ready for the fun to end, and as the crowd started to head home, some students lingered, blasting music and dancing in the parking lot. COVID made sure that no one takes these experiences for granted ever again.

The players seemed to share that sentiment as they met outside the locker room and held their helmets high. As special as this return to competition was, however, Coach Seaburg won’t let his players focus too long on it.

“Our expectations are that we are going to come back tomorrow morning and work hard, and then Monday we’re going to work hard again, and we’re just going to try to get better every day,” Coach Seaburg said. 

The team will have the chance to show that growth this Friday, when they take on the Crystal Lake South Gators at CLS. Come out to share the experience with your fellow Trojans — it’s good to be back.