Naperville football title 'pure exhilaration'

Larry McKeon, Naperville North High School's football coach, was overwhelmed with exhilaration Sunday.

"I think you can see it with all the kids here," he said. "When you win your last game of the season, it's pure exhilaration."

Several hundred families, friends, students and community members united at Naperville North High School for a Welcome Home Pep Rally for the football team after they clinched their first state football title in 15 years.

The team dominated in a 46-19 victory over Glenbard North in the Class 8A title game Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

A parade of police cars and fire vehicles led the nearly 100 players back to the school Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival, the large group was greeted with incredible amounts of cheers from die-hard fans who just couldn't wait until Monday to congratulate the team.

Receiver Alex Dieckmann, 17, said the team's victory hadn't quite sunk in yet.

"This is unbelievable," he said. "I've been dreaming about this for four years, and I can't believe it's actually happening."

He said the team followed the same motto: one team, one heart.

"I don't think there's anything that could've stopped this," Dieckmann said.

Everyone in the community knew the boys were working toward "State '08."

"That's been their goal and their direction, and it couldn't have happened to a better bunch of kids," Pep Club Advisor Karen Quinn said.

Athletic Director Doug Smith said ever since a handful of these players were playing junior football, they talked about bringing the state championship back to Naperville North.

"They kept their promise," Smith said. "They like to play football, and they get along on the field and off the field."

Jaimie Savino, 21, of Naperville, and her sister, Melissa Savino, 19, were cheering ecstatically for their 17-year-old brother, Zach.

"The boys have been pretty confident all year, and they did a great job," Jaimie Savino said. "We're so proud of them."