Gaulke: I’m living a dream

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The Northwest Herald asked members of Cary-Grove’s football team to share thoughts of their experience this season leading up to the IHSA Class 6A state championship game against Providence Catholic at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Today: Stu Gaulke, linebacker

The journey began in 2004. I was in eighth grade when the 2004 Cary-Grove football team first went to state. The players on the 2004 team raised the bar for C-G football. All of the success that Cary-Grove football has had in recent years stems from the ’04 team.

As far as this year, I feel as though I am living in a dream. Since all of us were little kids playing football with the Junior Trojans, every single one of us wanted to win a state championship. Every single player and coach on this year’s team has put in so much time and effort. Our coaches do a great job of getting us prepared for every situation and every game. I don’t think people realize how much time that the coaches put in for us. They are at the school seven days a week helping prepare us for our upcoming opponent. The coaches are the reason why Cary-Grove football has been so successful.

It seems like just yesterday that we played our first game against Crystal Lake Central. I couldn’t have asked for a better senior season, and to end the season playing in Champaign makes it even better.

This weekend’s game will be a completely new atmosphere. It will be different sleeping in a hotel rather than your own bed before a game. Knowing that this game is for everything and that it will be my last game ever in a C-G uniform will probably have me a little nervous, but as usual, once the game gets going we will all settle in.

Thanks to all of the fans that have supported us this season. Go Trojans!