I just want to get this out of the way. 

Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery’s appearance at the CG football game Friday was pretty cool, and being able to have a star in the house was awesome. Although he’s injured, it was cool of him to come out and make kids’ nights at a high school football game.

All right. I have said enough about David Montgomery’s showing. 

It’s time to visit the main attraction Friday night: special teams, special teams, special teams. A great game from what football people call the “third phase.”

The Trojans had “great returns,” Head Coach Brad Seaburg said. “[We] had two blocked punts and did a nice job on our punt returns, our kick returns. Our kickoff coverage was good. Everything was good.”

Not only were the special teams outstanding, but the running game really kept the pedal to the metal, helping CG have a great team game overall. 

“We were able to get the ball out on the perimeter. Our guys that have good speed really were able to make some plays,” Coach Seaburg said. 

Cary-Grove started the game strong, racing to a 20-0 advantage out of the gate. Touchdown runs and passes helped springboard the Trojans to a 34-0 halftime lead. 

The second half was relatively quiet for both sides, with only 21 combined points scored. 

The Central Rockets scored their only touchdown on a good run angling towards the sideline, which came late in the fourth quarter. 

Ultimately, Cary-Grove won to reach a mark of 8-0, and become Fox Valley Conference Champions after a 48-7 win. 

The Trojans all season have taken it slow and game-by-game. Coach Seaburg, even though he is happy the team won the conference, displayed his usual humility that he and the team have represented even after a key step towards Champaign. 

“We’ve got one week left, and that’s what we are looking forward to right now,” Coach Seaburg said. 

Let’s really embrace this final regular season game. Once the playoffs barrel through, the 2021-22 season for Cary-Grove can twist and turn whichever way the Magic 8 ball wants it to. 

Expect the worst, hope for the best. (Bears fans, you know what I am talking about) 

Anyway, that statement is not only true for the Bears – it also rings true for this upcoming stage. The playoffs are wild. 

The aforementioned final regular season game features the Hampshire Whip-Purs in their territory, at 7 p.m. Friday. It’s almost playoff time, CG!