Excellence sustained by Fremd
Fremd has set some high standards for sustained excellence in Mid-Suburban League football.
But a 1-4 start put those impressive streaks to the ultimate test.
Actually, four tests where failure wasn't an option if the Vikings were going to extend their MSL-record streak of playoff trips to 16 years.
After beating Conant 31-10 for their fourth straight win Friday night at Hale Hildebrandt Field, the Vikings completed their drive to five wins and are in the postseason again. And the bonus prize was extending their MSL record of successive division titles to eight with their shared crown with Schaumburg.
“Nothing's that easy,” said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci with a relieved laugh.
“It wasn't easy,” said Ohio State-bound center Brian Bobek with a big smile.
But that's what made the 16th straight playoff trip that much sweeter. And made an eighth straight West title crazier.
“After facing so much adversity,” said senior workhorse running back-defensive end Justin Wallace, “to come back and do this feels amazing.”
Just ask senior defensive tackle Jeff Parham. He was knocked out at the end of the stunning comeback at Palatine two weeks ago with a concussion.
Parham sat out last week but returned to help set an early defensive tone with a stop for no gain and a sack.
“I feel we've gotten much closer,” said Parham, who was cleared to play Monday, “to the point we're bonding and sticking together.”
They had no choice when things looked bleak with a 14-3 halftime deficit at Palatine. They had to stay together when they handed Barrington its first loss last week.
Now everything seems to be coming together at the perfect time. Wallace rushed for 165 yards to put him at 1,102 for the season behind Bobek, Jack Konopka, Levi Jorgenson, Jerod Mikkelsen, Nick Loden and Evan Schaeffer.
The defense has been making big plays. And Fremd will be playing again in Week 10.
“We had to come into every week like it was a playoff game,” Wallace said. “For me it was the fear that if we lose, I will be playing my last game (Friday). I didn't want to see that happen.”
mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com