The Homecoming football game always means a little bit more than others, but this year it does even more than normal.

A year ago on Sept. 17, the Indians faced off against the Plainfield Central Wildcats. With a minute left in the 4th quarter, Minooka scored on Malik Armstrong’s 73-yard run after catch on a screenplay. But the kicker missed the extra point. 

With 33 seconds left in the game, Minooka leading 36-30, Plainfield Central took the field at the 50. In a blink of an eye, the Wildcats tied it up, and hit the extra point to secure the win. 

Now almost a whole calendar year later, Minooka looks to get revenge on Plainfield Central.

After starting the season with a devastating 49-12 loss to Bolingbrook, the Indians bounced back with a 26-22 win over Joliet West. And now riding a two-win streak after a blowout 48-0 win over Romeoville, last week, they look to expand the small streak. 

Minooka’s leaders are head coach Matt Harding, quarterback Gavin Dooley, and linebacker Isiah Dupree, who was named Shaw Local’s Friday Night Drive Team of the Week MVP in week 2.

On the other sidelines, Plainfield Central looks to move to .500 after dropping their first two games to Lincoln-Way West and Yorkville. But they are riding momentum of a win after bouncing back in a 28-16 victory over West Aurora. 

The Wildcats leaders are head coach Rob Keane, quarterback Chase Vayda, and linebacker Phillip Carlton.

Minooka’s varsity Homecoming football game starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16.