Wheeling 38, Elk Grove 20
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, hundreds of Wheeling fans started to line the school's track.
The excitement in the stadium became audible as the fans started to sense a decade of futility floating away and a new era beginning to dawn.
Unable to hold back any longer, the entire student section stormed the field and surrounded the football team in a giant mosh pit to celebrate the Wildcats 38-20 win over Elk Grove.
Wheeling (6-3, 4-1) clinched a playoff spot and a share of the Mid-Suburban East crown with Rolling Meadows.
"Wow," said senior running back Abel Rangel, who rushed for 143 yards and a touchdown and returned a punt 79 yards for a score. "We accomplished what we came out to do this season. No one thought that we could do it.
"People were saying it's the same old Wheeling. But we proved them wrong."
The Wildcats football team had struggled in recent history. They hadn't made the postseason since 1996 and last won an MSL division title in 1994.
The Wildcats also lost 35 straight games during that span, but head coach Dave Dunbar was adamant those days are now merely history.
"It's gone. They put that to rest. Dead, gone, buried this season. It is no longer any part this." he said. "It was tough to think about (making the playoffs) a few years ago.
"But you just have to know what you're doing is the right thing and keep working hard to accomplish those goals."
The Wildcats never trailed Friday and got another strong effort from quarterback Matt Holmes. He threw for a pair of touchdowns to James Kurtz and added a rushing score.
"We all just stuck together and played hard," Holmes said. "Nobody expected us to do it and we used that to drive us."
Wheeling also returned a kickoff for a touchdown when Pat Splon ran 90 yards to open the second half.
Elk Grove (1-8, 1-4) quarterback Bryan Bathauer rushed for 143 yards and had a 55-yard touchdown run. Kevin McDonald ran for 74 yards, including a 50-yard touchdown, in the first half before leaving with an injury.
"It's disappointing," Bathauer said. "We fought hard. That's all I can ask for."