As a sea of green engulfed Wildcat Stadium’s bleachers, the 3-3 WJ football team took the field against the 2-4 Wheaton Knights. Across the stadium, faces of alumni could be seen with smiles as the Wildcats took down the Knights 28-6 in the annual homecoming game.
Coming into the game, players were filled with excitement and anticipation. Even before the season started, the homecoming game was circled as a major event on the calendar.
Not only was the Friday night matchup against the Knights the homecoming game, but it was also a major moment in the season as the Wildcats were coming off a loss to Blair. The Wildcats were able to channel the homecoming energy into a blowout victory.
“There was a sort of charge in the air,” junior linebacker Hank Amaditz said. “Everyone’s excited and I feel like there’s a larger turnout than other games. We had good energy and it helped us keep the momentum throughout the game.”
With the excitement and buzz of the game, the team had to stay focused on their pursuit of a victory.
“In the game, you don’t really realize (the crowd) as much but it makes it more fun and you play better when you’re having fun,” senior linebacker John Jernell said.
The matchup also featured senior quarterback Carter Maury leading the huddle as star junior quarterback Jake Forburger was sidelined with an injury. Maury was able to use his accuracy and decision-making to maneuver the Knight’s defense.
“We were doing well with our quick game and moving the ball,” senior quarterback Carter Maury said. “Later in the game, we were able to beat them man-to-man.”
Along with the injury of Forburger, multiple injuries plagued the team such as in the case of wide receivers Devin Market and Ryan Gardner, who were forced to watch behind Coach Fiddler. These key difference makers being absent in the game forced other players to step up.
The Wildcats were able to come back from a tough loss to Blair to gain their third home win of the season. Using the game as a reset for the season, the team was able to find their way back to over .500.
WJ looks to spring off the win in their upcoming matchup against a strong Sherwood team tomorrow, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m. where the Wildcats’ seniors will suit up for their last time in a regular season game at Wildcat Stadium.
“We have to build on what we did well to beat a very good Sherwood team and fix the mistakes we had in the game,” junior offensive lineman Andrew Corrado said.
As the Wildcats make a push towards the playoffs in hopes of playing in late November, the Senior Night game will be a critical test to see if the Wildcats have what it takes when playoffs come.
“We don’t know who we’re going to play in the playoffs yet, but I think with any team, we’ll prepare like we have before,” Maury said. “We’ll have a lot of guys coming back from those injuries and I think we’ll be ready to rock.”
