Prairie Ridge vs. Cary-Grove may currently be the best rivalry game in the area. The Fox Valley foes are annual state title contenders and consistently play close back-and-forth games.
And there is something special about the throwback feel of high school football on grass, with both teams running triple-option offenses.
The rivals entered Friday’s game in Crystal Lake undefeated. With most of the conference suffering through down years, the title may have been on the line already in late September.
No. 22 Prairie Ridge, behind crafty runner Luke Vanderwiel, led by nine at halftime. An explosive 77-yard TD run by Cary-Grove junior Logan Abrams turned the tide midway through the third quarter and the No. 6 Trojans came from behind in the fourth quarter to win 18-12.
“We are a really good, confident team and we know what we can do,” Cary-Grove senior linebacker Charlie Ciske said. “But when we see plays like that play that model what Cary-Grove is about it just gives us a little bit more of a confidence boost.”
Abrams gave Cary-Grove (5-0, 5-0) the lead on a two-yard TD run with 3:16 left and then barreled through for the two-point conversion to give the Trojans a six-point lead.
“At halftime we said we were going to pop [a run],” Trojans coach Brad Seaburg said. “And then Prairie Ridge is so efficient with what they do that when you finally get a stop you can just feel the momentum shift.”
Prairie Ridge quarterback Luke Vanderwiel was unstoppable in the first half. He scored 2 TDs and led long drives that kept Cary-Grove’s offense off the field. The Wolves had a chance to win on the final drive, starting on their own 29 with 3:11 to play.
It wasn’t enough time. Prairie Ridge (4-1, 4-1) dominated the first half with long scoring drives. The Wolves’ second drive, which ended with a one-yard TD run from Vanderwiel, ate up 10:30. Each team had just four possessions in the game.
Abrams, a junior, had 12 carries for 126 yards and 2 TDs. Holden Boone had eight carries for 75 yards. Ciske blocked Prairie Ridge’s first extra-point attempt and came up with a key sack on Prairie Ridge’s final possession.
Vanderwiel finished with 42 carries for 184 yards and a TD. Late in Prairie Ridge’s third drive, in the third quarter, he switched from quarterback to running back.
“[Vanderwiel] is an amazing runner,” Ciske said. “He can cut so fast. I haven’t seen anything like that this year. Just maneuverabilty. He played slot he played tailback. It was a lot to gameplan for.”
Vanderwiel was 2-for-3 for 52 yards. Sophomore quarterback Owen Satterrlee was 3-for-5 for 48 yards.
It was the first rivalry game at the helm for Prairie Ridge coach Mike Frericks. The former assistant took over this season after Chris Schremp’s 22-year tenure as head coach.
“[Cary-Grove] makes you play disciplined football,” Frericks said. “It just takes that one lapse of judgement, one lapse and misplay and bye bye Abrams.”
Abrams and Vanderwiel are juniors, so this sets the stage for next season’s matchup. Prairie Ridge is likely a Class 5A team in the state playoffs. Cary-Grove will probably be in Class 6A.
“[Vanderwiel] is a game changer,” Frericks said. “What we do with the option he always has the ball in his hand and always gets to make the decision. I like those odds with him having the football.”