Friday evening, the Knights advanced to the semifinals of the NCISSA state playoffs after defeating Word of God 34-0 to sweep the Rams for the season. This is the farthest Cary has gone in the playoffs after losing in the first round in back-to-back years.

The Knights dominated in every facet of the game, recovering four fumbles and blocking a punt in the eight-man football contest.

“This was by far our most impressive performance,” said Cary coach Dell Cook who got the proverbial Gatorade bath after the game. “We started off slow but the guys picked it up in the second half.”

“Slow” is in the eye of the beholder.

The Knights led 21-0 at halftime on two touchdown passes from quarterback James Montgomery to running back Samuel Casucci for 30 and 36 yards, and a two-yard run by Matthew Daum.

Meanwhile, the Rams had just 51 total first-half yards.

To open the second half, Cary recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Rams 35 and took it in five plays later on Samuel Casucci’s four-yard TD pass to Daum with 9:23 left in the third period. Jordan Gomperts made the final score 34-0 on a 1-yard plunge just before the third quarter ended.

About the only thing the Knights did wrong was miss a 37-yard field goal.

“The adjustments we made at halftime really made a difference,” Cook said. “Overall, it was just a great performance.?

The Knights now await the winner of St. David vs. Northeast Academy. Cary lost to Northeast last season in a disappointing 42-40 defeat.