It was a full house of at least 1,500 fans on the night of Friday, Jan. 20 for the Maine South-Niles West boys varsity basketball game and the
Maine South (Park Ridge, Ill.) football team's halftime celebration on the 12th Annual MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the Army National Guard. The Hawks were one of 50 teams to receive the Army National Guard national rankings trophy on this year's Football TOC.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
Although their season started out slow, the Hawks came back and avenged both losses in the state playoffs to win the Illinois 8A State Championship. Head coach David Inserra, who just finished his 16th season coaching football, said it was those early losses that really ignited the team to bounce back.
The team finished its winning season with an 11-3 record overall and ranked as No. 92 in the nation out of more than 15,000 football teams according to the MaxPreps national rankings.
Senior Emmett Zima said, "the state championship was something they had all been working towards since they were freshman. No, make that since we were little kids!"
During the halftime celebration the Hawks were honored by Staff Sergeant Richard Stadershaw of the Illinois Army National Guard who congratulated them on their tremendous season accomplishments. He challenged them to have him back next year for a possible seventh national title.
Congratulations to the Maine South coaching staff and boys varsity football team on a great season and high national ranking!
Click
here to view the Maine South TOC photo gallery and for more information about the Football TOC, please visit the
MaxPreps Tour of Champions site.
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
Photo By Precision Sports Entertainment
