With a 8-1 regular season record, the Huntley High School varsity football team, with many doubters and naysayers, nearly dominated their way back to playoffs almost mirroring their success from last year. This was the Red Raider’s second season under head coach Matt Zimolzak.

Senior captain linebacker Jake McGovern and left guard offensive lineman Ben Dworski gave insight to their season.

“We all thought [that] we were going to go to state and we came too short,” McGovern said. “We all came [closer] together as team at the end of the season.”

“[The] offensive line was supposed to be a big question mark in Huntley’s offense, but we ended up dominating all year.” Dworski said.  

Last year the football team made it to the third round of the playoffs with a 6-3 regular season record before losing to Loyola Academy. This year the Red Raiders beat The Jacobs Golden Eagles in the first game, came close to one of the top teams in the state (The Prairie Ridge Wolves), and then dominated the rest of their regular season ending with a record of 8-1. They however fell victim to an upset by Edwardsville High School in the first round of playoffs. The guys shared some of their favorite moments.

“I have two favorite moments from this year, ” McGovern said.  “When we beat Cary Grover and I tackled Samson Evans and when I got two sacks on my birthday in the McHenry game.”

“Beating Cary Grove [was really great] because they are one of our big rivals and it was a game that would make or break our season.” Dworski said.

Through the trials and triumphs the team continued to be a family, and the seniors were not devastated by their playoff loss but instead proud of the many memories they made while playing together.