Looking for the Senior Night flipbook? It can be found below, or on our Features page. Please check out “Slideshow: WCCHS Faces Off Against Larkin in Emotional Win” as well.

For the first time in more than 20 years, West Chicago Community High School’s football team will head to the playoffs.

On Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. the team defeated Larkin High School out of South Elgin 35-19. The Wildcats finish the regular season 5-4.

The team’s offense put up a solid display of athleticism on their Senior Night, and moved the ball down the field several times without scoring. Then, with 9:23 left in the first quarter, senior Vincent Muci – who scored all five touchdowns in the Wildcats’ game – blocked a punt and quickly turned the ball around to score a touchdown.

“The specials teams’ touchdown at the beginning of the game really set the tempo for us,” assistant coach Conor Zaputil said.

WCCHS ended the first quarter 14-7.

“The defense played really solid in the first half until the end of the half where some big plays hurt us. We tried to move things around and switch things up throughout the week to adapt to their offense, and it didn’t work out too great. We went back to our original defense in the second half and let up zero defensive points,” junior Tommy Doyle said.

Though fans grew tense as Larkin picked up another touchdown just before halftime, hope and excitement for the team remained high.

“There is a lot of pride and spirit. Everyone wants football to win tonight,” WEGO alumna Adayana Guerrero said.

That pride increased when the Varsity boys’ soccer team appeared, IHSA Regionals championship plaque in-hand, to announce their victory over Addison Trail at St. Charles North.

“Going into halftime I felt we played pretty well, but not at our best. I knew that we could bring things together and finish out the game at a high level,” sophomore Carter Naranjo said.

Following the halftime performances from cheer, dance, and marching band, all of which were also celebrating Senior Night, the Wildcats returned to the field for a challenging third quarter, and Naranjo stepped up as quarterback.

“During the game, my focus was to put the team in the best position to win no matter what. I trusted myself and the guys around me to play at the highest level possible. The team knew what we needed to do because of the amazing preparation the coaches had for us, it was a matter of execution,” Naranjo said.

Defense – on both teams – was particularly strong coming out of the half, and neither Larkin nor WCCHS could get a point in during the third quarter; the score remained 14-13 for much of the second half.

“I kept telling myself that we have to do this for the seniors, and that I can’t imagine letting down the community and going back to the school knowing the football season is over and we failed. I kept telling myself it’s our chance to make history and there’s no way that anyone on this team isn’t gonna put their everything into winning,” Doyle said.

Then, with 11:10 left in the game, the Wildcats took possession thanks to an interception by junior wide receiver Tommy Doyle, and again, Muci scored a touchdown. The victory was short-lived, however, as West Chicago and Elgin scored within minutes of each other, raising the game to 28-19.

“Our performance was great. We stayed in it the whole first half, and then it way up in the second half,” Muci said.

The last minutes of the game saw strong offensive work, and Muci brought in two more touchdowns within the last 2 minutes of the game. The latter play was made possible by an interception from Doyle.

“It was a situation where they needed a big play, we knew that a pass was coming. They came out in a three wide receiver set and the[n one was] closest to the quarterback, [and] ran the same route every time they passed. I knew he was open when he ran the route, and that he would be telling his quarterback that he’s open and to throw the ball. It was a deep drag route across the middle. He ran ten yards up and then across the field and I watched the quarterback’s eyes and knew the throw was coming, so I jumped the pass and ran it back to the two-yard line before being knocked out of bounds,” Doyle said.

Ultimately, the Wildcats by 16 points.

“It was one of the best feelings in the world to have a game like that, especially it being my last game at West Chicago. Now, me and my team are just focused on the playoffs,” Muci said.

The win was an emotional one, and several players broke down in tears.

“It meant everything to us. Not only was it Senior Night, and a lot of our teammates were saying goodbye, but this program has not been to the playoffs in over twenty years. Being only a sophomore coming into West Chicago last year, I was told by many to not play football here because all we do is lose, but with the amazing coaching staff and guys we have in this program, we worked our butts off to be where we are now,” Naranjo said. “Last October, if you told the guys we would be going to the playoffs this year, they would all look at you crazy, but the work that was put in during the offseason is what got us here.”

Part of that work involving watching footage of the opposition.

“As coaches, we made sure to break down all the game film from all of Larkin’s games this year, both on offense and defense, so that we could be prepared for whatever they would do in the game. As for during the week, just repetition of our offensive plays, and giving our defense a scout look of what Larkin’s offense was going to run,” Zaputil said.

As is becoming a tradition, fans rushed the field to congratulate the players.

“The energy in the student section was awesome and everyone was so excited. This football season has been like no other, and watching their team reach such an important goal meant a lot for not only their program, but for everyone there witnessing it. The football team making history is bringing back so much school spirit that was lost during COVID. I can’t wait to see what they can do in playoffs!” junior Emily Hanania said.