The Schaumburg Saxons kicked off their football season with a pair of thrilling games that highlighted their grit and growth.
In their season opener at home, the Saxons battled hard but fell short in a 34–29 loss to Antioch. A week later, they bounced back, dominating Elk Grove 40–14 on the road to secure their first win of the year.
In week 2 of the 2025 season, Schaumburg wasted no time proving they had learned from the recent defeat. Facing Elk Grove on the road, the Saxons’ offense exploded, scoring 40 points while their defense shut down Elk Grove’s efforts. Big plays on both sides of the ball energized the team, and by halftime, Schaumburg had already built a respectable 21-7 lead.
Rafael Medeiros caught a touchdown pass, leaping over a defender to make the contested catch in the corner of the end zone. Tommy Poldek’s interception saved a touchdown, and Senior Ray Black’s thirty five yard pass to senior Tony Horton sealed the Grenadiers fate.
“We raised the intensity and both sides of the ball really started going at it and that proved itself Friday night. Keeping that up through this week as we continue to get better will be huge throughout the season,” said Kile Gough.
The week prior, Schaumburg hosted Antioch in a high-scoring showdown. The Saxons’ offense kept pace with Antioch throughout the game, with both teams trading touchdowns in the second half. Despite a late push by Schaumburg, Antioch’s defense held strong in the final minutes, sealing a narrow 34–29 victory.
Though the loss stung, the game highlighted the Saxons’ potential for a promising season. With their record now sitting at 1–1, the Saxons are looking ahead with confidence. Students and fans are eager to see what the rest of the season brings. “One of the best opportunities for growth is between week one and two. Our boys really took advantage of that this week. I am extremely optimistic about the kind of team we can be if we keep attacking” said head coach, Mark Stilling.
The Saxons will carry that momentum into their upcoming matchups, where tougher competition awaits. They head to Highland Park this Friday for their third matchup of the season. September 19 is the Homecoming game against Vernon Hills at SHS and the last game before heading into conference play. If the first two weeks are any indication, Schaumburg has both the talent and determination to make this a season worth remembering.
Ray Black claimed, “Everybody is contributing to our success from the first man, to the last at practice, at the games, in the community, everywhere. Job is still not finished.”
The work continues this week; make sure to dress in construction gear to support the Saxons in their game at Highland Park.