On November 1, the West Chicago Wildcats took a 41-16 loss against the Ironmen of Normal Community. Kickoff at 7:30 P.M., the cats played to their all, they built the program brick by brick, slowly knocking it down.

“Play tough, play physical. Leave nothing else on the field. Empty the tank, no matter what,” head coach Adam Chavez said.

2 by 2 rows form as the cats take the field for initial warm ups and run throughs. Players are locked and loaded for whatever their coaches throw at them on the field.

“Play 100 percent, not the “125 percent,” I believe 100 percent, and that is it,” assistant coach David Muenster said.

The team made it far going 6-3 overall and 3-3 in conference, a 41-16 loss hurts for the upperclassmen. Before the game, caption Carter Naranjo inspires the team to play their all. The bond that this team has is closer than brothers.

“We got heart that’s what makes us who we are. We keep making history every single year, let’s build off of that. Love each other and build each other up,” junior Carter Naranjo said.

The tears of joy and of sadness come streaming out of senior, Tommy Murphy’s eyes. The feeling that it was his last time in that jersey and on that field. Chavez holds Murphy like his son, his open arms wrap tightly around him because of pride.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you guys as a coach. I love all of you guys like my children,” Chavez said.

Junior, Jayden Rosario takes in every play from the last game he got to play with his senior brothers. Every win and every loss, they pushed through and made their way up two years in a row. Their team isn’t any team, it’s a second home.

“This whole team, since Chavez got here, we’ve all been here, we all built this up,” Naranjo said.

As Chavez talks to his defensive line, every play matters. The other team will make plays, but they will make more. The persistence and consistency of playing every game like it’s their last, is taken literally tonight.

“Extend your life one more week tonight. They’re gonna make plays, we’re gonna make plays. If they make a good play, rub it off, you make a better play your next one,” Chavez said.

After the loss, Muenster embraces Angelo Jimenez in his hands. The mental toughness it takes to be an athlete is like no other. The family that was built from the program, the past ten months have been home for the Wildcats.

“Live in heart, live in passion, live in toughness,” Chavez said.

Even though the Wildcats lost, they still have their family. They have what they built and nothing can tear it down. Brick by brick.