Coming off its 27-23 victory against Chippewa Falls in the state semifinal on Friday, Nov. 13, the Homestead football team takes on the Wolverines of Waukesha West in the state championship game this Friday at 1 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis.

“Getting to the state final is so exciting, especially for the guys on the team. These kids are so much fun to be around every day; they make it a joy going to practice,” Coach Drake Zortman, offensive coordinator, said.

“Personally, I am just happy that I get to spend this amazing season with my family. It’s been a blessing to be able to coach back in my home town,” Coach Zortman said. “To be able to cap it off in Madison is just icing on the cake.”

Even though this game is for the state championship and is the last game of the season, the boys have been treating it like it is just another normal game.

“We haven’t approached this game much differently; it’s just another game to prepare for,” Eric Zoeller, junior quarterback, said.

“This week, practice really hasn’t changed all that much. It has taken more of a mental toll since we know how hard we have to practice in order to obtain the gold ball,” Patrick Minkin, senior running back, said.

Sean Driscoll, senior defensive back, agreed with both Zoeller and Minkin. “I think we are trying to keep this week as normal as possible,” Driscoll said. “Also, I think we are trying to stay above the hype of the game and to not get lost in how much pressure there is for this game. Whatever we’ve been doing has been working, so why change it?”

Although the team has felt that they have kept improving throughout the playoffs and taken momentum into every game, the boys feel like there are still things that they have to make sure they do to the best of their ability in order to come out with a victory.

“I think it just comes down to focus and making sure that everyone executes their assignments and responsibilities,” Driscoll said.

Zoeller agreed. “We need to come out and execute right away. The energy needs to be there during the entire game,” Zoeller said.

“In order to come away with the title, we have to make sure that we are mentally sound and play every play like it is our last. Because this is my last game of my senior season, one of these plays is going to be my last, just like it will be for my other fellow seniors,” Minkin said.

Because this is the last game of the season, no matter what the outcome is, it’s the last game of some of the players’ high school football careers. The boys know that there is no other way they want to end the season than to hold up the gold ball trophy after the game tomorrow.

“These seniors will be missed a ton. Not only are they incredibly talented, they’re also an awesome group of guys to be around and tremendous leaders. I’ll miss them so much and I hope to send them out with a gold ball,” Zoeller said.

“This is the way any senior would envision the end of his high school career, and it’s an honor to do it with such a great group of guys. We are ready to go to battle,” Driscoll said.

“Ending my football career at Camp Randall is unbelievable. I couldn’t have dreamed of it any other way. To know that the last time I take on a football team with my brothers will be at Camp Randall is something that I will never forget,” Minkin ended.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Hannah O'Leary

Serafino Lagalbo, senior safety, watches as a play goes on in the game against Brookfield East on Friday, Nov. 6.