Homecoming 2024 was an exciting night for the many alumni and fans who joined the stands as the Wildcats won, 41-10, in their matchup against the Riverside-Brookfield Bulldogs, making the Cats playoff eligible once again.

West Chicago jumped to an early lead with a touchdown, followed by a successful PAT, making it 7-0. Riverside-Brookfield responded with a touchdown of their own, but the Wildcats answered quickly with another score, building a 14-7 lead.

Gallery • 22 Photos

Photo by Leslie Fireman

Romeo Alfaro keeps his eyes on the game as fellow seniors Jaxon Williams and Robert Witek show off their neon.

The defense then held the Bulldogs to a field goal, narrowing the gap to 14-10. Not to be deterred, the Wildcats surged ahead, adding two more touchdowns before halftime. Although the extra point was missed, the team extended their lead to 27-10 by the break.

West Chicago Community High School’s marching band took to the field for a half-time show that showcased several months of hard work. Likewise, the cheer and dance teams performed high energy halftime shows that rallied the crowd as they looked toward the second half.

Coming out of the break, the Wildcats defense made a key stop, and four plays later, they found the end zone again. With a successful PAT, the Wildcats extended their lead to 34-10, inching closer to a Homecoming victory.

As the third quarter closed, they added another touchdown, bringing the score to 41-10.

“The experience was surreal, everyone on the team was super hyped and the crowd and students section were amazing. Everyone on the team played their a***s off, and it was one of the best games we’ve played collectively all year. I love all those guys, and it’s a hell of a Homecoming game,” senior Tommy Doyle said.

Robert Lee, also a senior, delivered his standout performance of the season on Friday, propelling West Chicago to victory. Lee racked up 301 rushing yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 13.1 yards per carry and setting a personal best in rushing yards. His highlight of the night was a remarkable 70-yard run that truly showcased his skill.

The Homecoming game also celebrated the 50th anniversary of West Chicago’s state-winning football team, and many of the athletes came from all over the nation – including Texas and Florida – to see the Homecoming game.

“There’s a lot of love and respect left from our years and memories of our schoolwork and our team in football in the championship games, that game that we played in,” Henry Antes said.

The opportunity to watch the Wildcats play on their home turf was “very special,” according to former player Randy Hill.

“It’s also really it’s awesome for me to be able to see my teammates and I haven’t seen in a while, and get together with them, talk about life, and then the thing that’s really, really kind of cool is the just the community around, you know? The support for [the] football program, and acknowledging us. And it just pride – the school pride. I think it’s really, really special that we what we had as a team, and then hopefully we can bring that forward for this season,” Hill said.