Down 7-0 to Jacobs in the second quarter, there was a sense of nervousness resonating throughout the Trojans’ sideline. The CG offense was forced to punt shortly after giving up the first points of the contest a play into the second quarter, and the Golden Eagles began a fresh drive starting at their own 20.
The “uncertain” aura that was felt throughout the visitors’ side of the field quickly flipped to a calming feeling as the Trojans defense forced a three-and-out after pushing Jacobs back toward their own endzone.
Then, after a punt that went less than 40 yards, sophomore fullback Logan Abrams escaped from a pile-up and popped out en route to a 36-yard scamper to the end zone with no one in front of him. Abrams finished with 146 yards on 23 carries.
Senior running back Andrew Prio had two touchdowns, including on a 16-yard pass to the outside from Peyton Seaburg, to give Cary-Grove a 14-7 halftime lead. Prio concluded Friday night with 130 yards on eight carries.
Coach Seaburg is pleased with how the running attack has been playing these first four games, leading to an undefeated start.
“Our blocking’s been good,” Coach Seaburg said. “We’ve been able to mix it up between Logan inside and getting the ball on the edge to our other guys. It all starts with that blocking, then guys making plays.”
Against the Golden Eagles, CG’s defense forced and recovered two fumbles, the first of the two setting up the aforementioned 14-7 halftime lead, as well as taking a 27-7 lead in the third with a pick-six by Junior Preston Walsh.
The efficient running game couldn’t have started without the defense’s gritty battles throughout each game, most notably with their performance Friday night.
“Our defense has been lights out all year,” Coach Seaburg said. “We’ve played some good teams as well, and every week our guys have risen to the challenge.”
The week four game against Jacobs certainly had little moments that ended up proving to be massive for CG, which Coach Seaburg outlined.
“Getting the score before halftime was huge because we went into halftime up 14-7 instead of tied 7-7, and then scoring to start the third quarter. Then getting the pick-six by Preston. It was great,” he said.
After ending last season with five straight losses leading to a 3-6 record, Coach Seaburg is happy with how this season has gone, as CG surpassed last season’s win total on Friday night.
“It feels better to be 4-0 then 2-2. It feels good, and we’re just hoping that we can keep winning more games.”
Next week, the Trojans battle PR at home in a heavyweight tilt between two undefeated squads, and it should be a fun one to watch as Cary-Grove seeks to clinch a playoff berth.