For the last time, seniors at Huntley High School rallied in support of their Red Raider Football Team. Timeless memories for the team have been created over the last four years of support, excitement, energy, and endless chants. The varsity football team plays Crystal Lake South High School in a potential season-ending game for the Gators. Huntley, with a record of 3-5, will not advance to the IHSA State Playoffs for the first time in nine years. As a tough season comes to an end, the Red Raiders look to finish strong and put on a great performance.

“The game plan for this week is just to finish the season strong [and] to prove to ourselves that we can end this adversity-driven season with a win,” said head Freshman Football Coach, Bradley Aney. “I just think that we need to play four quarters of football. I think that we need to start playing with confidence and we need to start going back to the fundamentals that make a team successful,” said Aney. 

Huntley started the game off with only three first down conversions in the first half, punting on their first four possessions. Crystal Lake South opened the game with a drive that concluded with a 16-yard passing touchdown. After four possessions, the Gators were up 21-0. The Gator defense was very effective in containing Huntley’s run game, as senior running back Ryder Hunkins amassed only 4 yards throughout the first half.

 For the Gators, the second half consisted of a 12-yard rushing touchdown and capped off a clinical offensive performance. Huntley’s offense opened up in the second half as Hunkins rushed for 112 yards and junior quarterback Will Kenner threw for 96 yards with two rushing touchdowns. 

This elevated offensive performance proved to be too little too late for Huntley, as Crystal Lake South took home the win, 28-14, and advanced to the IHSA State Playoffs. 

Although this season has proved to be disappointing for the Red Raiders, valuable lessons of hardship and grit have been learned, and their fraternity continues to shed an undying light.

 “I think that the one thing that we continue to create in this program is a sense of brotherhood and a sense of family that these players will take way beyond high school,” said Aney. 

This bond between players and coaches will continue to inspire the team as they search for the success that they once knew all too well.  

“We’re going to come back next year and be that much stronger because of what the seniors have done for us,” said head coach Matt Zimolzak. 

Only time will tell if the promise for success in the following seasons will become reality, but one thing is certain. The culture of Huntley’s football program is one that can never be replicated.