Belvidere North upsets Cary-Grove in the 5A quarterfinals for the biggest win in school history

Belvidere North opened in 2007. Its Wikipedia page entry is just 69 words long. There’s no list of famous alumni or memorable moments for the school, which is just east of Rockford.

Despite tremendous success in cross country (five state championships) and cheerleading (three state championships), most people around the state will do a double-take when they see Friday’s score: Belvidere North 17, Cary-Grove 10.

“Nobody knows even where we are,” senior linebacker Noah Rooney said. “It’s about time Belvidere North was put on the map.”

Rooney and the Blue Thunder’s defense played a massive role in a Class 5A quarterfinal victory that will turn heads.

Belvidere North coach Jeff Beck didn’t need any time to consider where the win ranks in school history.

“With the caliber of program that Cary-Grove is, this is definitely number one,” Beck said.

The turning point in the game came early. The Trojans fumbled at the Belvidere North 4-yard line. Senior Jackson Johnson scooped the ball off the ground and ran 91 yards for a touchdown to give the Blue Thunder a 7-0 lead.

“It was huge,” Rooney said. “They were about to go in and score and that changed the game. That was the momentum we needed.”

Belvidere North (12-0) and Cary-Grove (9-3) both utilize run dominant option offenses that grind out long possessions. Those systems still succeed in Illinois high school football, but it is difficult to play from behind.

The visiting Blue Thunder shut Cary-Grove down in four plays on the next drive and followed up with another big play. Andrew Bucci connected with Nathan Alexander for a 71-yard TD to put Belvidere North ahead 14-0 early in the second quarter.

It was the only pass the Blue Thunder threw in the game. Bucci had nine carries for 39 yards. Belvidere North finished with 80 rushing yards.

“[Bucci] was the difference from last year to this year,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. “He’s a great player and executed their offense really well. They seized the momentum. We had the opportunity at the beginning of the game to punch that in after a good punt return. The ball just was laying around and the guy picked it up and ran it in.”

Trojans fullback Logan Abrams had 32 carries for 144 yards, and quarterback Jackson Berndt had 11 carries for 43 yards. Berndt scored on a five-yard run with 9:58 left to cut Belvidere North’s lead to 17-7.

It’s the first trip to the semifinals for Belvidere North. The Blue Thunder will host the St. Francis-King winner next weekend.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Johnson said. “To accomplish this and finally be here is huge for us. I just want everyone to know that Belvidere North is here. We have arrived.”