Lake Zurich amped for football title game
While Lake Zurich is part of a metropolitan area, it has taken on a small-town atmosphere as residents and businesses support the local high school football team's quest for a state title.
Lake Zurich High School will play undefeated, defending champion Wheaton Warrenville South for the Class 7A crown at 4 p.m. Saturday in Champaign. Lake Zurich, which has one loss, can become state champs for the second time in four years.
Pride visibly abounds for Lake Zurich High's Bears. Many businesses on Main Street through the village's downtown have windows decorated with paw prints in the school's blue-and-white colors, along with slogans such as: “We Are Lake Zurich Bears. We Will Succeed.”
Several mothers of football players were responsible for creating the downtown area atmosphere that seems more Mayberry than Chicago. Carlene DiMaggio said she and the other women are known as the “Mama Bears.”
“There is so much community spirit here,” DiMaggio said.
Lake Zurich High had the spirit as well Tuesday afternoon. Led by a drum line, the football players started at the performing arts center and paraded around the school in a ritual that's done for teams that advance to a championship round.
Principal Kim Kolze said she's enjoying the ride along with the students.
“It never gets old,” Kolze said. “The excitement in the building is really electric. It's a lot of fun.”
Lake Zurich High has been building a tradition of gridiron excellence. The Bears have qualified for the state playoffs in eight consecutive years.
In those eight years, the Bears landed a championship in 2007, a second-place finish in 2006 and semifinal appearances in 2002 and 2009.
Athletic Director Rolly Vazquez said reasons for the team's success include the coaching staff, involvement of former players and the Lake Zurich Flames youth football program.
Plans call for the Bears to depart from Lake Zurich High's field house at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. The team bus may get a Lake Zurich police escort as it departs the village south on Route 12.
Fan buses will leave from the field house at 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Cost for the bus is $20, and $10 additional for a game ticket.
Win or lose Saturday, a parade will be held for the Bears as part of what the school is calling a community celebration. The bash will start at 1 p.m. Sunday at the new May Whitney School, 100 Church St., traveling a short distance to the high school field house.
Spectators are encouraged to line Church Street for the football team. Cheerleaders, poms and the high school band will be part of Sunday's festivities.