November 26, 1994 — The 12-1 H-F football team faced the 12-1 Huskies of Naperville North High School at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium for the Class 6A State Championship. The team didn’t know it yet, but they would take down Naperville North that day, 13-12.
“It was an unexplainable feeling,” head coach John Wrenn reflected. “We may not have had the best skills on paper, but our team culture was unmatched.”
Late in the first quarter, quarterback Ted Reichert, who had been instrumental in leading the team all season, rolled his ankle. He persevered through the first half, even completing an 18-yard screen pass to Alonzo Moyer. However, the Vikings found themselves trailing at halftime, 12-7 and faced mounting challenges as they struggled in various statistical categories — recording only eight first downs compared to Naperville’s 14 and accumulating 131 total yards against Naperville’s 225.
Unfortunately, Reichert could not continue after halftime, and the Vikings sent in backup Ryan Harper, who had not yet played that season.
Despite the setback, Harper’s presence set up the game’s most important play. After a punt from their 18-yard line, Naperville’s Matt Deegan failed to field the ball, and H-F tore down the field, returning the punt 71 yards. At this point, Reichert returned to the game, throwing a slant to Moyer for the game-winning touchdown.
Fast forward 30 years: the spirit of that triumphant season was rekindled as the 1994 team gathered at H-F on Oct. 4 to watch the current Vikings, now 4-2, dominate Metea Valley High School with a resounding 56-0 victory under head coach Terrell Alexander.
“It feels like it’s still 1994. It’s fun,” Reichert shared. “Some of us might look different, but it feels like yesterday. It’s wonderful to see everyone again, and I truly appreciate everything H-F has done today.”
The former players also walked through the school, reminiscing about their time as students.
“Attending H-F was an incredible experience,” running back Sean Gregory expressed. “We moved here from the city, and I immediately sensed this community was different. We’re fortunate to come from a school with such deep-rooted traditions and prestige. It’s a phenomenal place.”
In total, 23 coaches and players, along with their families, attended the reunion.
“I just have great memories from those years. I see many of these guys frequently, and we’re still really close. I mean, I’ve known these guys since playing baseball, basketball and football as kids,” defensive back Tom Conroy said. “It’s just so fun to see everyone and know that everyone’s doing well with their families and in life.”
