At Christian Liberty it's about school spirit, not a final score

The Christian Liberty Chargers burst through a banner before their home opener on Friday, and for the first time, it counted.

They played the Eagles from Chicago Hope Academy and lost, but there was more at stake than the outcome of the game.

Not since Arlington High School closed in 1984, has the football field at Christian Liberty Academy hosted a game sanctioned by the Illinois High School Association.

Now, in only its second year of playing organized football, Christian Liberty has become a full member of the IHSA, playing a nine-game schedule in the new Northeastern Athletic Conference.

Friday's game had the look of any other high school game, with cheerleaders on the sidelines, sanctioned referees working the game, and fans of all ages in the stands.

"There's been such a buzz around here, that now we're finally playing for something," said Steve Rowland, Christian Liberty athletic director. "It's been a great atmosphere. The kids know that they're part of building a tradition."

He conceded it will take time. Their senior quarterback moved out of state just before the start of the season, leaving freshman Dan Glad of Arlington Heights to take the snaps.

His nerves and relative inexperience, took its toll early in the game, but the fans were not deterred.

"Finally, we get to cheer for something," said junior Cammie Kott of Arlington Heights who sat with a row of her classmates. "We actually have something to get pumped up for."

Her friends agreed, adding that the addition of a football team brought them more in line with some of their peers who attend public high schools.

"It's just nice to be able to say we're going to a football game," added senior Taylor White of Buffalo Grove.

Teams in their conference include Christian schools, small public high schools, private academies and charter schools from Rockford to Chicago. Enrollments range from Alden Hebron's 120 to more than 800 at the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora.

Rowland said so far the school does not have enough players to field a separate freshman or sophomore team, but he sees that day coming. Already, a large number of junior high students are playing on prep football teams, and they see the high school team as way to continue.

"This is one of the reasons we chose the school," said David Adelsperger of Streamwood, whose freshman son, Blake, plays wide receiver. "He wanted to play football."