The Huntley running back tandem of Reichen Dvorak and Gavin Havens is doing just that. They led the Red Raiders to a 44-0 win over McHenry Sept. 6, for a two-game points total differential of 79-7 in a 2-0 beginning. Huntley aims to keep its wins coming when the Red Raiders battle at Jacobs (1-1) Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. In Fox Valley Conference action.

The new approach gives a balanced look since talented running back Haiden Janke graduated last spring after a 1,300-yard season.

Head coach Karen Naymola had the smile of a milestone accomplished Sept. 5, as she accepted flowers to mark her 500th volleyball coaching win.

“I’m emotional because we were able to get No. 500 when my daughters, Lizzy and Abby Whitehouse, are on the team,” Naymola said. “I was extremely fortunate to get a head coaching job when I was young.

The Red Raiders trounced Jacobs, 25-9. 25-15 Sept. 3 following a win over McHenry, 25-19, 25-17 Aug. 29 for a 3-1, 2-1 FVC record.

Against Jacobs, Huntley outside hitter and University of Kentucky commit Georgia Watson led with 10 kills, had two digs and added two service aces.

“We worked on serving for an hour at practice,” Watson said.

Nitz finished 21st at the IHSA Boys Class 3A State Meet last year, was fourth at sectional and won regional and conference. But he had not won the season opening McHenry County Meet, until he earned first place Aug. 31 at McHenry Township Park.

“I had finished second the last two years at county,” Nitz said. “It’s a hard course but a fun, good way to start the season.”

“McHenry is a different team than last year,” Huntley coach Mike Naymola said. “They play fast and aggressive on film and we look forward to the challenge they present. They were two yards shy of a win last week and I’m sure that will only motivate them more to get ready for us.

Olympian Simone Biles’ reaching 11 total artistic gymnastic medals following the Paris Olympics is the top reason, but there are other factors, Hugs Gymnastics owner Jenn Baker says.

“We get a lot of calls just before and during the Olympics,” Baker said. “Everyone wants to be the next Olympian.”

On a Wednesday evening, participants said they of course followed but also the Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, and the whole team that made artistic gymnastics a hit.

Huntley senior Maddie Sloan made a strong finish to end well at the Huntley Invite at Pinecrest Golf Course Aug. 22.

Sloan concluded with a third-place score of 37 for nine holes. Sophomore Kinsey Hayes was next with a 42, for an 11th place finish. Freshman Miranda Hoeft had a 48 for the 23rd spot and senior Taryn Rainey turned in a 49 score for 26th.

Red Raiders standout Anna Campanelli has committed to Kent State University, a D-1 school which won the Mid-American Conference title last winter from Kent, Ohio.

“We are so excited for Campanelli and for the opportunity she has to play at Kent State,” Huntley girls basketball coach Steve Raethz said. “She has worked so hard to put herself in a position to play at the collegiate level and we are really excited to have the chance to coach her one more season at Huntley.

Huntley 2016 alumnus Anthony Binetti, the late coach Joel Popenfoose and his sons Marcus, Adam and Casey were honored at Fall Kickoff Night Aug. 24. Joel was an assistant football coach for more than a decade and his son Adam played for the storied 2001 team.

Binetti’s achievements on the field were leading the HHS squad to 17 victories, one Class 8A playoff win and one Fox Valley Conference outright title.

“We expect CLC to pose a challenge as they do each year,” Huntley head coach Mike Naymola said. “They were one of the best defenses we saw last year and I don’t see why that will change. I know they lost a lot of offensive firepower but coach Dirk Stanger will have them ready to go.”

Naymola is in his third season as head Red Raiders head football coach, 13th total at HHS.

Fellow former Honey Bears cheerleader Patti Gramarossa joined Holdapfel to make the practice more of a reunion for the Bears’ former ambassadors.

“It’s a sisterhood,” Gramarossa said.

One Gators cheerleader, Mackenzie Kirkpatrick, answered correctly when the Honey Bears’ era took place, the 1977-85 seasons.

“I hope they bring them back – that’s my life’s goal, to be a Honey Bear,” Kirkpatrick, a junior, said.

“This should be one of the best teams we have had at Huntley,” Wells  said. “Hopefully we can continue our FVC championship streak and have more success in the post season. We have a very good and deep team.”

The Red Raiders won the Fox Valley Conference tournament for the fourth straight year last season and were 15-2 record.

Huntley’s volleyball squad has a mix of experienced players and a couple of family members on the same squad, and a rich tradition of success.

A large group of nine seniors, who experienced a three-year run of sectional titles, leads the way. They are: Georgia Watson, Sienna Robertson, Mari Rodriquez, Ivie Aschenbrenner, Ava Czysz, Jocelyn Erling, Alexandria Goritz, Ashley Santana and Diellza Sejdini.

“We’ve had a very good start and we have a lot of depth this year,” Naymola said.

Head coach Mike Naymola praised the new season’s team leaders.

“The four players that were selected started their journey to be our captains in December when our off-season program began. They all have stepped up and began taking extreme ownership of this 2024 team. They all have led by example setting the tone for what we expect all our football players to do on and off the field.

The season came to a close at the MCJGA Tournament of Champions at Woodstock Country Club Aug. 8.

Huntley’s Maddie Sloan led the local results as she won girls 16-18 Player of the Year honors. Teammate Miranda Hoeft took second in her class for the tournament, age 13-15.

Sloan dominated play all summer and finished with more than 900 total points in 13 events.

Community spirit was the winner overall while the fire fighters won the contest 7-5 at the Veterans Memorial Park diamond in Sun City Aug. 6. The 22nd annual softball game was part of Huntley’s National Night Out Day and Enjoy Huntley Week activities.

The game had the visiting police department members take an early lead, but first baseman of the HFPD, Keith Schroeder, had the big hit with a three-run double in the HFPD win.

Huntley Historical Society was the beneficiary of the Second Annual Beer Mile event, held at the grounds of Sew Hop’d Brewery and Tap Room in Huntley. More than 60 participants took to the beer drinking and running course. Some competed as relay teams while others did so individually.

“We had the Beer Mile last year and had about 40 runners,” Historical Society member Lonnie Oldham said.

“Summer camp for football is basically preseason so in my opinion it’s essential to getting your team ready for the season,” Red Raiders head coach Mike Naymola said in mid-June. “We have competition all over the field. Lots of kids are trying to earn spots and the competition element of that is going to pay dividends in the end.

This year’s MCYSA tournament will be the 31st annual event. It begins with session one on July 12 through July 15, followed by the second session, July 18-21. Games are played at Crystal Lake’s Lippold Park and Veterans Acres and other locations.

The area will be contributing several teams to the 99-team field, including two from Huntley, the Citius Navy 8U and Raiders Baseball Academy 13U.

Meyers was one of three members of the IADA Class of 2024 Hall of Fame, along with Terry Dobbs who worked at Palatine and Greg King of Sterling, at the May IADA meeting. Meyers explained that due to his retirement as Johnsburg High School Athletic Director in 2003, he is one of the elder statesman so honored.