To end a day filled with homecoming celebrations, Huntley High School’s football stands are filled with cheering families, friends, and students excited to cheer on their class’ players. The blazing sun stands high in the sky, energies rising as teams gather in huddles. With a “1, 2, 3 Go Team!” The sophomores and freshmen take their position on the field.
The buzzer blows and the sophomores start the game off strong by pushing closer and closer to the touchdown line. Throughout the first half, players showcase their scoring commitment through strong charges and constant playmaking. Despite these efforts, however, neither team scores any points in the first half of the game.
Undeterred by the result of the first half, the freshmen start with the ball, make a quick advance, and with a smooth pass, freshman Julia Czesak scores a touchdown at minute 13. With the scoreboard now 0-7, the sophomores gain possession of the ball. They quickly push to their touchdown line, make a successful run, and score six points. With two minutes left on the clock, tensions rise as the teams keep pushing back and forth.
The sophomores start quickly as running back Alexis Amu makes the final catch, scoring the winning touchdown. With great cheers, the sophomores celebrate their close victory.
“We played like MVPs,” sophomore wide receiver Kayla Fondjo said. “We thought we lost, but we pulled through, and got that W.”
After the underclassmen clear the field, the seniors and juniors make their way to the sidelines as the stands fill with more electrified fans.
Starting with the ball, the juniors start their first of many quick, aggressive pushes against the seniors. Nonetheless, the seniors intercept the ball and rush forward. With the time quickly running out and neither team making any successful advances, the timer buzzes indicating half-time.
The crowd, eager to see the guys poms performance, cheers loudly as the senior boys switch between songs and dances of twirls, jumps, and spins. After their finished performance, the crowd settles down and focuses back on the senior girls, who are starting with the ball. With many false starts and yard movebacks, the crowd laughs in enjoyment.
The game picks up with 11 minutes left, and the juniors intensify their pushes as Aubrie Rochbahcher scores the first touchdown starting the juniors with a lead of 6-0. With an unsuccessful start, the seniors’ pass is intercepted by the juniors who make a quick run, scoring another touchdown only to have the referee throw the flag down. Celebrations erupt among the senior fans.
With the final minutes approaching, the ball is passed to junior running back Lauren Alex who scores the final touchdown.
“We did pretty good,” Alex said. “I mean, we beat the seniors. It felt amazing.”
Regardless of who the losers and winners were, the teams all congratulated each other with friendly laughs and smiles.
“I think it could have gone better, but I think all in all we all had fun,” senior powder puff coach Zach Urbaszewski said. “It was a good time.”
