Wildcats vs. Streamwood, Homecoming game: there was a tense energy in the stands, with hoarse voices screaming from the student section. The game was too close for comfort until Carter Naranjo ran back with five seconds remaining in the third quarter to throw a 38-yard pass to then-junior Tommy Doyle, completing the touchdown that, in the end, won the game. 

Most star quarterbacks do not get into the position to lead their team until junior year at the earliest. However, Naranjo was brought up to Varsity as a freshman, and by his sophomore year was calling the plays as WEGO’s starting quarterback. 

“I noticed that he was pretty coordinated. A good athlete, I could tell that he would develop into one of the main pieces for our team just by his eye coordination skills,” Assistant Coach Malko Odishoo said.

This past fall, the West Chicago WIldcats football team had their first winning season in 21 years and got a shot to go to the playoffs. A lot of this success came from Naranjo, the then-sophomore quarterback with a completion rate of .421 & a QBR of 108.9 which are very impressive numbers, especially for someone so young.  

“I honestly was very proud. Because I’ve been underlooked my whole life, small and not as big as everyone else. But whenever we won and went to the playoffs, as I was very proud of me and all our team,” Naranjo said.

Naranjo’s leadership was noticed around by the whole team with the way he commanded the offense in games and also practice.

“Carter is a very hardworking teammate, and as a leader, is very supportive. He looks at others and tries to improve people as they go, and as they play,” teammate and sophomore Roman Zolota said. 

Other players agree.

”I view Carter as a good teammate and leader because he always keeps our head high and just leads the team,” junior Ali Nassib said.

Naranjo’s goals for the next two years of playing football are to keep the winning alive at WEGO, and to maintain the same positive mentality for the years to come.  

“I eventually [want to] go and play in college and just continue to grow as a player,” Naranjo said.

Naranjo’s parents could not be more proud of what he has accomplished as not just an athlete, but also as a student. Naranjo continues to have success in academics while maintaining the demanding schedule of being an athlete. Naranjo’s parents have always been supportive of his goals.

“He continues to amazes us as an athlete with his showing of dedication and passion for the game. As a student he consistently maintains academic success in combination with athletics. Lastly as a son everything we’ve mentioned so far expounds beyond anything we could possibly imagine for him,” Jimmy Jackson, Naranjo’s father, said.

Naranjo will continue to strive and work in football and in school  to make his dreams become a reality.

“I want to continue to get faster and stronger. I want to lead the team and create bonds with all the guys around me,” Naranjo said.