QB star, family gain HHS Hall of Fame
HUNTLEY — Huntley football players all listened as accomplishments of the new Class of 2024 Red Raiders football Hall of Fame members were read.
Huntley 2016 alumnus Anthony Binetti, the late coach Joel Popenfoose and his sons Marcus, Adam and Casey were honored at Fall Kickoff Night Aug. 24. Joel was an assistant football coach for more than a decade and his son Adam played for the storied 2001 team.
Binetti’s achievements on the field were leading the HHS squad to 17 victories, one Class 8A playoff win and one Fox Valley Conference outright title. He owns school records for passing yards with 4,211; 42 passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns.
Binetti had an early start in football, including one day when he took the opposite side of his dad Frank’s youth team.
“I remember when he played flag football when he was 3 or 4-years-old,” Frank Binetti said. “I remember one day he was yelling ‘go defense’, ‘go defense’. I was coaching the offense.”
“It (Huntley football) was one of the best times of my life,” Anthony Binetti said. “I miss the competition, coming out here on Friday nights, with the whole school cheering. Our head coach, John Hart, got the town to rally around football.”
The 2015-16 football season is almost a decade old, but Red Raiders fans remember it like yesterday. Hart’s team won 10 straight games and finished 10-1.
In 2015, HHS was in its third year as a FVC member school. The Red Raiders ripped through four non-conference games, then five FVC division foes. Wins included a 29-8 dominance of defending state champs Cary-Grove. The 9-0 regular season marked the first unbeaten regular season. Huntley, who also had senior Casey Haayer as leading rusher with 13 touchdowns and soph Eric Mooney’s 900 yards as they outscored foes 435-155.
Hart’s team went up against Minooka in the 2015 polayoff opener and won 49-7, then lost a heartbreaker to Oswego, 17-14.
“I remember being nervous before the Minooka game,” Binetti said. “But we really hit them in the mouth. The next game was tough. We drove 97 yards but just came up short. I remember being the last ones here.”
Binetti credits working with offensive coordinator J. Michael Slattery, who now coaches in southern Wisconsin, with his development.
Binetti graduated from the University of Iowa following Huntley. He works at his dad’s business, Graphics Screen Fashion of South Elgin, and still attends Red Raiders games.
Popenfoose family
Some details about the Popenfoose family include Joel Popenfoose served as an assistant football coach from 2000-13. Casey played for the Red Raiders from 2004-07 and was an assistant coach from 2000-13. Adam played quarterback and linebacker from 1999-03. Marcus played fullback and defensive line on two playoff teams, 2008-09.
Kim Popenfoose accepted the plaque on behalf of Casey, Marcus, Adam and Joel. Joel also had a very successful tenure as Huntley and Elgin Community College track and field coach.
Naymola praised the Popenfoose family’s legacy.
“They were part of Huntley when Huntley was smaller than most everyone,” Naymola said. “Blue collar, hard working kids who gave everything they had for the program they loved. Most of the boys were ball boys growing up so it was very much a family atmosphere for them growing up.”
The most successful team for the Popenfoose family was Adam’s 2001 squad which advanced to the IHSA Class 4A State Semi-finals. The Redskins gained playoff wins over rival Richmond-Burton (18-14); Oregon (41-34 in overtime); Montini (35-25) before a loss to Driscoll (24-21) and concluded a 10-3 season for Slattery’s team.
Marcus played on playoff teams in Class 6A, in 2008 and 2009 for head coach Steve Graves. In 2008, Huntley edged Batavia, 70-63 but lost to Grant, 28-24, for a 9-2 record. HHS lost to Marmion Academy in the first round for a 5-5 ledger in 2009. Marcus also earned two runner-ups at the IHSA State Track and Field Meets in the discus.
