After a remarkable regular season, MCHS varsity football finished with a 7-2 record and won second place in conference. These numbers were good enough to clinch Minooka a playoff spot.

Minooka will face Niles Notre Dame for their first-round playoff game tonight. The game will take place at MCHS at 7 p.m.

After a good season statistically, there is always room for improvement.

“We need more improvement on offense,” senior safety Max Buduris said. “We have been struggling to put points on the board this season and that is definitely one thing we need to do if we want to go far in the playoffs.”

Running back Owen Kapplel, senior, has similar thoughts.

“Offense, the offense needs to hold up their end of the bargain is we want to continue on the roll we’re on,” Kapple said. “The defense couldn’t be doing a better job, but it’s up to the offense to score more. If we could put more points on the board offensively then we could get far in the playoffs.”

With the IHSA Playoffs right around the corner it should be easy to believe that players on Minooka would feel some pressure.

“Our guys aren’t feeling any pressure,” Buduris said. “We’ve just got to get out there and do our own thing because that’s what we’ve been doing all year, and it’s worked to our advantage. All we have to do is play hard and do our own thing. If we do that than the sky’s the limit.”

If Minooka could play hard and do their own thing, then they can be successful according to Buduris.

“We are facing no pressure whatsoever,” Kapple said. “We have had great games all season and that has gotten us prepared for the playoffs. We’ve just got to live up to the challenge and hold the rope. If we could do that than we will win,” Kapple said.

Many fans of Minooka wonder how many games they will win in the playoffs this year. Two players have that answer.

“I expect nothing less and nothing else than the state championship game,” Buduris said. “We’ve just got to work hard and play harder, if we could do that then we can achieve our goal.”

“I don’t see why we can’t win a championship. We’ve got great athletes and football players all around on the team, and if we could just work together and play our hardest then we will be state champions,” Kapple said.