Naperville Central’s football team has recently been honored as the 42nd best in Illinois history, a distinction given by the IHSA based on the team’s record of success.
Announced in September, the ranking was selected by members of the Illinois High School Association, current and former coaches, media members and officials in honor of 50 years of state finals in the sport.
“It will be a fun way to remember many of the great teams, players and coaches who have helped make high school sports in Illinois so special,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a press release.
The award gives teams an opportunity to look back on their history and appreciate the people who have contributed to their stories.
“We talk about this with our players all the time: that we are stewards of a lot of people that came before us, and we’re lucky to be a steward of a program with a really proud and long tradition of football excellence,” head coach Mike Ulreich said.
Central’s football team has won IHSA State twice, the first championship coming in 1999 under the player leadership of retired NFL tight end Owen Daniels, and the latter coming in 2013 under former head coach Mike Stein.
The 1999 team would finish fifth in the USA Today national high school football rankings.
“I think it serves as a good reminder to our coaches and our athletes that we’ve established a tradition of excellence,” Athletic Director Jeff Plackett said.
Ulreich looks to carry on Central’s historical strength by continuing the “tradition of excellence” that has defined the team throughout the years.
“We would love to be higher,” Ulreich said. “We’re 22nd all-time in wins, so there’s a little bit of that competitive fire that you wish that [the ranking] was higher.”
The Redhawks finished their season with a record of 11-2, ending their season in their first state semifinal appearance since 2013.
“We’ve got an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve done before that’s got us to the point that we’re at now,” Plackett said. “But it also serves as a reminder that there’s still more work to do if we’d like to continue to be a part of the conversation.”
