Mike Helfgot/Special to the Tribune
New to town in 2004 and unaware of how much high school football means to the Cary-Grove community, it didnt take Rich Kersten long to feel like he was part of something special after moving from Marengo.
Its a small town and they do a good job supporting the team, but nothing like this, Kersten said of his hometown. The whole community comes out on Friday night. I remember watching the 04 team, going to all the games.
We all did. I havent missed a game since eighth grade and couldnt wait to get my chance to play varsity. It is like a legacy around here.
A local powerhouse since 2004 the Trojans lost in the 7A state final that season and are 69-6 in the past six seasons Cary-Grove made a name for itself throughout Illinois with a 14-0 season and a 34-17 upset of Providence in the 6A championship last fall.
Along with tight end Cole Connington and safety Dan Sarillo, Kersten, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound tackle/defensive end, is one of just three returning starters. While the most turnover 22nd-year coach Bruce Kays program has seen since the Trojans began dominating the Fox Valley makes another 14-0 season seem highly unlikely, Kersten and Kay arent ready to call it the end of an era just yet.
Were not where we were on Thanksgiving weekend, but were pleased with how things are coming along, said Kay, who is entering his last year as the schools athletic director but may retain his coaching position. Some of our backups last year could have played for a lot of teams. And they did get some valuable experience. Our JV offense had 115 snaps, including the playoffs. Thats more than two games of work.
In addition, the sophomore team went 9-0 behind quarterback Corey Latkis, who will take over for Tyler Krebs. Kay will carry four sophomores on the roster and have at least half of the 22 starting spots manned by underclassmen, including the entire offensive backfield.
If the pressure falls on the senior leadership to keep the winning tradition alive, Kersten prefers to look at it as excitement instead.
Its not really pressure, he said. We just have to find the identity of this team, who are going to be the people that make the plays we need. I dont think were worried about it. Were not as talented as last years team but I think we work even harder.
