Chargers take field at home for first time
When the Chargers from Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights came running through a breakthrough banner made by their cheerleaders on Saturday, it signaled more than their first home game this season.
It signaled the start of an entire football program.
Not since the old Arlington High School closed in 1984 has a high-school football team taken the field for a game at its stadium.
On Saturday, a new home team, wearing light blue jerseys instead of Cardinal red, called the field home, and started their own tradition.
Sure, the stadium is much the same as the Cardinals left it, including the same concession area, entry gate and ticket booth, as well as grass field and original goal posts. However, Christian Liberty officials upgraded its track to a rubber composite surface five years ago, as well as replaced the old wooden bleachers with aluminum ones.
"It was amazing to see the excitement, and school spirit," says Steve Rowland, Christian Liberty Academy athletic director, "and just what that spirit does for a school."
For the record, the Chargers played Chicago Hope Academy, another relatively new program located on the city's near west side, whose team only began playing football last season.
The Chargers lost 36-14, including seeing the Eagles score on a last second play, however Christian Liberty coaches were encouraged.
They watched as junior quarterback Nathan Elleson of Arlington Heights completed a 60-yard pass play to sophomore receiver David Sotomayer of Chicago for a touchdown. Later, senior running back Mike Leahy ran five yards straight up the middle, completing an eight-play drive, for the team's other score.
Leahy is one of only two seniors on the team - along with defensive end Gabe Avram of Schaumburg - and one of only seven of the 23 players on the team to have played football before this year.
"People are knowing more what to do," says Leahy. "I see them getting better each week."
This was their fifth game of the season, after dropping their opener, 76-0 at Alden-Hebron High School, in Hebron. The Giants felt so bad about the drubbing, despite pulling their varsity players after the first quarter, they sent the Chargers a card, reportedly telling them to hold their heads up high, that things will get better.
"That's the amazing thing," Rowland says. "They could have quit after losing like that (they are 0-5) but they haven't. Not one player has quit; in fact a couple have come on since we've started."
The team is coached by parents Jim Caulkins, who serves as head coach, and Dave Leahy, assistant coach. Both are Chicago firefighters, and live in Chicago, but they make the commute to Arlington Heights to coach the team.
And it has been a challenge. Rowland reports the coaching staff had to teach the young players everything from what a 3-point stance is, to basic offensive and defensive plays.
For that reason, many of the players look up to their the few veterans who have played before, like Leahy, who played briefly at Gordon Tech High School in Chicago, before transferring to Christian Liberty.
"I'm trying to teach them, and let them know what high school football is all about," Leahy says. "We're just trying to lay the foundation. With every football team, there's wins and losses. We know it's going to get better."
Their next home game takes place at 4:30 p.m. Monday, when the Chargers take on the junior varsity team from St. Patrick's High School in Chicago, whose varsity team is a perennial powerhouse.
"I told our guys that they're the standard-bearers," Rowland adds. "You're representing the school against programs that have been established for years, so keep your chins up."
After playing as an independent this year, Christian Liberty will join the new Northeastern Athletic Conference, within the Illinois High School Association's Class I-A.