Minooka sent a message to Plainfield Central during the Homecoming football game.

The Indians gave a good send-off into the Homecoming dance taking down the Wildcats with a dominating performance winning 74-7 on Oct. 3. 

“Getting a win in 8A football isn’t easy,” said Minooka’s head coach Matt Harding. “This win helped us reach closer to our playoff goal.”

With a tough end of the regular season for the Indians, they are seeking one win to secure a spot in the 8A football playoffs. 

“Emotions are always at a high for Homecoming games,” said Harding. “The Homecoming game is the biggest game of the year and a game where all past alumni come back to watch and hang out with their past teammates and coaches.”

The Indians take a little more pride in a win for Homecoming week so that returning alumni can come back to a win, and so that the players can go into the dance the next day happy with their win.

“It is an important game,” said quarterback Andersen Klemme. “We get to show off what we have worked at throughout the season to show those fans what we are about.”

Klemme took over in week four after an injured Zane Caves.

“Our energy was high,” said wide receiver Brady Hairald. “All of our games so far this year have been really close until the end. It was our time to blow a team out and get everyone on the field.”

Hairald only had two receptions that night, but that did not stop him from having a great game, taking both of his catches for touchdowns.

After halftime, the Indians were already showing great promise to win the game. The coaches were able to make the decision to get everybody into their Homecoming game, and the starters were pulled out and now rooting for their teammates.

“It was electric to get in,” said Ben Bachman. “A time where being patient and just constantly working paid off.”

Bachman is a back up defensive back for the Indians and got an opportunity during the game to make a play. And he did, Bachman intercepted a pass and took it down to Plainfield Central’s own 3-yard line.

“When I saw the ball coming, I thought I have to get this,” said Bachman. “Then it was just a matter of time of getting down and trying to score or getting our offense set up for a touchdown.”

Bachman was not the only back up who showed up for the night. Senior Cesar Avelar made his presence known by getting two sacks on the night.

“When I got in, I was pumped, excited and was ready to perform my best,” said Avelar. “It felt very good and I was excited when they said my name through the speakers, I felt proud.”

Minooka was performing well on all sides of the ball, not just offense and defense, but special teams too. Nehemiah Brown blocked a punt in the first half and Brody McManus was able to pick the ball up and take it for the touchdown return.

“I caught the ball and without hesitation my first thought was to run,” McManus said. “During the play, I felt like it was just like every other play, I was just doing my job. But afterwards, the celebration with my teammates and coaches made me excited that I scored.”

Late into the 4th quarter, Minooka gave offensive lineman Robbie Murphy an opportunity to run in for a touchdown. After a couple of failed attempts, nothing was stopping the big man from getting into the end zone.

“I was super excited,” said Murphy. “I heard a bunch of people chanting my name when they saw me in the backfield, it was awesome.”

Murphy fell in the end zone to up the score 60-0 at the time. Minooka ended the night with a score of 74-7. As they were sent off to the Homecoming dance on an extremely high note.

Kooper Fisher is a member of the varsity football team.