News

Lake Zurich High celebrates second-place finish

Posted November 27, 2017 12:00 am

By Gilbert R. Boucher II

Lake Zurich High School head football coach Luke Mertens hugs captain Riley Pemstein and other players after a school rally Monday morning. The team finished second in state, falling in overtime to Batavia High School in Saturday's Class 7A championship game. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Despite a heartbreaking overtime loss in the state championship game Saturday night, the Lake Zurich High School football team had plenty to celebrate Monday when they delivered their second-place trophy to Principal Robert Vossel.

Team captain Riley Pemstein and his teammates were welcomed with cheers Monday morning as he carried the trophy into the school's field house.

"I wanted to thank every fan that ever supported us. I mean, you can't ask for a much better season, especially for the seniors to be their last, like this one," Pemstein told fans as he stood alongside co-captains Joey Stutzman, Jack Sanborn and Evan Lewandowski. "There were so many amazing memories that came with this season. I will look back to this year 25 years from now and just praise every moment that I have had to be part of this program."

The Bears finished the season 13-1, their only blemish a 21-14 overtime loss to Batavia High School in the 7A state finals Saturday at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

"We had a lot of adversity to face this year, as we all know," first-year head coach Luke Mertens told his players Monday. "To you guys, facing you in the locker room was very hard as it is right now because you think you failed and it is not so. I will never forget you guys."

After the ceremony, Mertens stood as a line of players each stopped to thank him and give him a hug.

Lake Zurich High School Principal Robert Vossel holds up the second-place trophy given to him by captains of the football team Monday during a rally at the school. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Lake Zurich High School football captains Jack Sanborn, right, Evan Lewandowski, Joey Stutzman and Riley Pemstein talk to family, teachers and classmates Monday during a rally Monday morning at the school. "I will look back to this year 25 years from now and just praise every moment that I have had to be part of this program," Pemstein said. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

Article Comments

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.