Yesterday afternoon, the students and staff of Prairie Ridge came together to celebrate the numerous athletic and activity accomplishments of the fall season, including the recent 6A varsity football championship.

Student council sponsor Mr. Karlblom moderated the assembly, introducing first the activity successes:

Emme Jones, Emily Kouzious, Ally Arkberg, Elizabeth Routzahn, Elly Flemming, Sylvia Hensley, Sarah Jenkins, Maddie O’Malley, Ryan Tucker, A.J. Weber, Mathew Blake, Connor Pils, Christopher MacDonald, Logan Dooley, K.C. Osude, Thomas Riordan, and Jeremiah Zhungu were all recognized for being selected for Illinois Music Educators District 7 Regional Honor Choir.

Logan Dooley and Aubrey Peterson were selected for the District 7 Regional Honors Band. Also, William Zokoian will represent PR as a member of the Regional Honors Orchestra.

Next, students with athletic accomplishments made their way to the middle of the gym floor to be recognized:

Ethan Farnam and Cameron Carney represented the golf team that took home the Fox Valley Conference title and the Regional championship. Both Cameron and Ethanadvanced to IHSA State Tournament in Peoria with Cameron taking 23rd place and Ethan finishing in 2nd place.

Filip Pajak competed in the IHSA State Cross Country meet for the fourth consecutive season, and finished his h.s. career with a 15th place finish at the state meet.

The girls tennis team won the Fox Valley Conference championship, led by Annie Timm who qualified for State and finished 25th.

Representing the co-op girls swimming team, the last individual to walk to the center of the gym floor was Valerie Tarazzi, wearing two State medals: 6th in 200m Individual Medley and 2nd in the 100m Breaststroke.

Finally, our varsity football team took the floor, to celebrate their perfect 14-0 season. Mr. Karlblom specifically recognized All-State players #77 Jeff Jenkins, #22 Samson Evans, and #80 Austen Ferbet and Academic All-State players #25 Jacob Ommen, #12 Manny Ebirim, #4 Nick Koelblinger, #65 Peter Dunican.

Then head coach Chris Schremp took the microphone to highlight several accomplishments of this year’s team, whose average score for games was 50-11, beating the most successful Catholic schools in Illinois, Sacred Heart and Montini.

State Game Records:
Most Points by an Individual (24) – Samson Evans
Most TD’s by Individual (4) – Samson Evans
Individual Rushing yards (274)- Samson Evans
Most field goals by a kicker – Derek Greiner
Highest Team Rushing yards (544)

MaxPreps Illinois Rank #1 & MaxPreps Midwest Ranking #1

MaxPreps National Ranking #40

Chicago Sun-Times Beth Long’s Super 25

Chicago Tribune Mike Helfgot’s Final Top 20

USA Today Super 25 Computer Rankings

Coach Schremp thanked the assistant coaches for their dedication and time during the season, for the character and teamwork of the football players. He concluded with a smile: “Anyone want to play football next year?”

View photos from the assembly here.