Strike means cancellation of Huntley HS games

All Huntley High School sporting events were canceled Monday after Huntley Unit District 158 teachers went on strike early Monday morning.

By IHSA rule, high school athletic programs must forfeit all sporting events canceled during a strike. Events cannot be made up at a later date.

The Huntley varsity girls golf team's scheduled match at Crystal Lake Central was forfeited Monday. Other Huntley varsity teams facing forfeits today include girls golf, girls tennis, girls volleyball, boys golf and the unbeaten boys soccer team (2-0-2).

The strike also could jeopardize the Huntley football team's scheduled game at Jacobs on Friday night. The Red Raiders are 3-0 and off to their best start since 2001.

"Starting 3-0 has only happened one other time in 34 years of high school football here, so (the coaches) wanted to keep it going as bad as we did," Huntley senior running back Jordan Neukirch said Monday. "They're really upset that it had to come down to this."

"I'll use the term unfortunate," Huntley athletic director Bruce Blumer said of the strike from a football perspective. "I think historically when your football team has a good season it kind of helps set the tone for the school year."

The Huntley offensive players met informally on Monday to watch film of Jacobs, which they received from their coaches during practice on Saturday along with gameplan information, Neukirch said.

The varsity players intend to gather for informal workouts this week in an effort to stay sharp. However, the players cannot use district equipment or gather on school grounds during the strike. All District 158 buildings and grounds will remain closed until the strike is settled, Blumer said.

The undefeated sophomore team worked out informally on Monday at Sunset Park in Lake in the Hills.

A protracted work stoppage could affect the Red Raiders' quest for a playoff berth. According to IHSA rules, a football team that doesn't practice for seven consecutive school days must hold three practices before it resumes play. If the strike lasts 14 school days, a football team must practice for five days before it can play a game.

If the strike is settled by Thursday night and 51 percent of District 158 students are in attendance on Friday, the Huntley-Jacobs game will be played as scheduled.

"I'm hoping it's just a few days," Huntley senior left tackle Steve McMahon said. "We'd like to play Jacobs. That's a big rivalry. We have a chance to do real good and they're taking games away from us."