There was much going on in the Crystal Lake Illinois area on February 22nd, 2012. The 7th Annual MaxPreps Football Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard made its way back to the Prairie State to honor Prairie Ridge High School.
The Prairie Ridge High School Football team waited in great anticipation to receive their trophy from the Army National Guard. On this day during an all-school assembly, the Wolves were about to be recognized for their amazing season. The gym filled with the band and then the teachers, students and the athletes that were to be recognized that day – among them, the entire football team! Private First Class Kyle Wolber entertained the massive group of over 1,600 by wearing a costume that filled with air to make him over 10 feet tall. He danced and entertained the crowd to many cheers. Sergeant Todd Diskey and Staff Sergeant Guisseppe Ferrioli handed out commemorative t-shirts to the team and awaited the ceremony to begin. Finally as the trophy presentation began, Principal Paul Humpa welcomed the MaxPreps crew and the Illinois Army National Guard and thanked them for coming. He then introduced Karl Wilhelm, the MaxPreps representative, who started off the ceremony by encouraging the team that their accomplishments were granted recognition because of their hard work and national rankings. Prairie Ridge had finished 13-1, won their state championship and finished No. 74 in the country in the final MaxPreps Freeman poll. After congratulating the team and coaches, he turned the microphone over to SSG Guisseppe Ferrioli who pumped up the crowd with his enticing enthusiasm as he talked about the hard work and dedication it took to deserve such an award. He then passed the compliments onto the Head Football Coach, Coach Chris Schremp as he handed him the Army National Guard national ranking trophy or the "Minuteman." As Coach Schremp accepted his new prized possession, he thanked MaxPreps and the Army National Guard for the trophy and all that the hardware symbolizes. Two of his assistant coaches then accepted the championship rafter banner and the Athletic Director, Ms. Patti Hie, said it would be displayed high in the gym rafters with pride.
That day, the team also received state championship rings! It was like Christmas in February for a group of young men that worked hard to accomplish great things in the world of high school football.
Playing the school fight song had great meaning on this particular day. Congratulations to all the Prairie Ridge Wolves on a season well done!
