Defense does job for Libertyville
A year ago, the Wildcats lost in double overtime to Oswego 28-21 in the 7A title game, and the juniors all vowed to come back and finish the job. Libertyville finished 14-0 and was 27-1 over the last two seasons.
Trailing 7-3 with 5:06 to play, the Trojans (13-1) gambled on a fourth-and-three at their 41. Fontana, a Sun-Times All-Area and All- State defensive back, dragged down Cary quarterback Brian Mitz for no gain.
Then, facing a fourth down at the Cary-Grove 23, the Wildcats lined up for a 40-yard field goal try. But the snap was bad and Fontana took the ball and ran nine yards for a first down.
It was a botched snap,” Fontana said. I took it and ran outside. I saw no one coming so I knew I had it [a first down].”
Then he finished the drive, and the game, with a 14-yard scoring run that capped an eight-play, 42-yard drive and gave Libertyville a 13-3 lead.
Libertyville quarterback Brett Lancaster had 71 yards rushing on 12 carries. Fontana finished with 69 yards on 14 carries.
The defense held Cary-Grove to 89 yards on the ground, as Kevin Koza had eight tackles and Matt Norcia and Fontana notched seven each. The Trojans were held to six first downs.
Kuceyeski had another reason to be proud. His son, John, was the Wildcats’ strong safety.
Having [John] on the team was the most special moment of my life,” he said.
A blocked punt by Ryne Gavigan, who finished with five solo tackles and three assists, was recovered in the end zone by the school’s single-season interception leader, Kevin Burns, for a touchdown, the only scoring in the first half.
I just came off the end and blocked it,” said Gavigan, who had two sacks in the last two minutes to preserve the victory. And Kevin Burns was there to hop on it. It was my first blocked punt of the year and it came at a good time.
Our defense stepped up and made big plays. that was one of our goals. It was the biggest game of our lives and we stepped up huge.”
The Wildcats defense held Cary-Grove to one first down and 48 yards. The Trojans’ defense were no slouches, limiting Libertyville to four first downs and 110 yards.
Cary-Grove was stopped midway through the third quarter, but got new life with a roughing the kicker penalty that sparked a drive to the Wildcats’ 5.
But a stop by Fontana and a sack by Alec Rahe and Fontana forced fourth down.
Facing a fourth-and-three, the Trojans were assessed an offsides penalty and then a delay of game before Don Hansen booted a 31-yard field goal to close to within 7-3.
We could not execute enough plays and you saw what happened,” Cary- Grove coach Bruce Kay said. Their special teams play was the big key for them.”