Football playoff bid gives Huntley hope
HUNTLEY — The good news came the afternoon of Oct. 26, when the final football playoff pairings were announced by the IHSA.
“We’re in” – that’s the message Huntley High School’s football coaching staff shared with the team as the IHSA football Class 8A playoff spots were announced. Huntley, 5-4 FVC, 5-4 overall, will face unbeaten and fourth seed West Aurora there in the first round Nov. 1 with kick-off at 7 p.m.
HHS head coach Mike Naymola described how the squad learned of the assignment.
“Based on record and points we knew we were going to be in, we just didn’t know what seed until Saturday afternoon,” Naymola said. “We did film done exchange pretty quickly so we could get to work.”
Naymola is pleased that the Red Raiders, seeded 29th in Class 8A, are returning to the playoffs for the third straight season.
“I am proud of the team being in the playoffs but I know we feel like we could’ve put ourselves in a better spot by taking care of business better in the regular season,” he said. “The good thing is, everyone is now 0-0 and it’s win or go home moving forward.”
The host Blackhawks, Upstate Eight West champions, are an unbeaten team as they have outscored opponents 477-40.
“West Aurora is extremely talented,” Naymola commented. “They will pose a challenge for anyone with their speed and physicality. Coach Nate Eimer has done a great job over there. We are looking forward to the challenge they give us and I’m really excited to see how our team responds to the playoff moments.”
BC game
For the first half defenses dominated as Huntley and Burlington Central clashed in the regular season Fox Valley Conference football finale. The Rockets, 7-2, 7-2 and playoff-bound as well, dominated late and won 31-7.
Early in the third quarter, it was a 7-7 deadlock when senior running back Reichen Dvorak scored from one yard out on a short 12-yard drive set up by a fumble recovery by senior Zach Urbaszewski. BC started the second half at their own 20. On the second play from scrimmage, Huntley caused a fumble as Urbaszewski, caused by a hit from Ari Fiebig, recovered it. Urbaszewski also had a quarterback sack.
The Red Raiders had some solid plays before BC ran away with the result with a 24-0 fourth quarter. Fiebig had a 38-yard run as part of a 51-yard rushing night. Jordan Oruche caught four passes for 33 yards from Bower. HHS finished with 53 yards passing and 123 rushing, but the Rockets out-gained the hosts, 311-126 yards.
Playoff notes
The West Aurora game will be Huntley’s 22nd in playoff history.
HHS has a 9-12 post-season record.
Last season, HHS was 8-2 and they beat Niles West, 26-14 then lost to St. Ignatius College Prep, 35-23. Naymola has a 1-3 playoff record, with the other game a loss to Andrew in 2022.
West Aurora head coach Nate Eimer has been in that role since 2011. His teams have five playoff appearances.
The Huntley and West Aurora winner advances to the second round against the winner of 13th seed Naperville North, 7-2 record and 20th seed Maine South, 6-3, Nov. 8 or 9.
