Cary-Grove Stuns Prairie Ridge in Overtime

A trick play and a tough defense weren't enough for Prairie Ridge to overcome Cary-Grove Friday night.

The Wolves' quest for a perfect regular season came up short when the defense they've counted on all year faltered at the absolute worst time.

With the Wolves leading 21-14 in overtime the Prairie Ridge defense had Cary-Grove fourth and goal from the 11 yard line. But the Trojans were able to punch it in.

And then Cary-Grove stunned the crowd when they decided to go for two instead of playing for the tie. The move proved successful when the Cary-Grove line pushed back the Wolves to win the game and end Prairie Ridge's attempt at an undefeated season.

It looked like the perfect season was over in regulation for the Wolves. On fourth and long and under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter pulled a play out of their bag of tricks. The Wolves used a hook and lateral play to pull within one after Jordan Getzelman ran 62 yards for a touchdown. A Connor Greenwald extra point tied the score.

But the game wasn't over.

After the Prairie Ridge defense held Cary-Grove to a three and out the Wolves muffed the punt but were able to recover the fumble.

With 45 seconds remaining Prairie Ridge was finally able to move the ball with a screen pass and a bomb to Sean Valentine. But the officials made themselves known after Valentine apparently said something to a Cary-Grove defender after hauling in a pass at the Trojan's 21 yard line. The unsportsmanlike penalty pushed the Wolves out of field goal range and time ran out in regulation.

Both Cary-Grove (7-2) and Prairie Ridge (8-1) will wait this weekend to see where the pairing committee places them for their first playoff games.

Cary-Grove's Quinn Baker scored two one-yard touchdowns.

The Wolves' Nick Nissen scored on a six-yard run in the first overtime.