The Pekin Football 2024 season ended on Friday, November 1st, as the Dragons lost to Lincoln-Way West. Pekin put up a strong fight from the beginning, working to stop the Warriors' powerful offense. Unfortunately, it was not the outcome the town had hoped for, as the final score was 14 to 34 Warriors. Pekin is still incredibly proud of the Dragons and everything the football program brought this fall. 

As the season ends, it is important to recognize that the Dragon's had many accomplishments, grew as people, and as a team. The game of football is not an individual sport. This means learning to grow and work together for a common goal. 

Head Coach, Doug Nutter, works hard in and out of season to make the team as close as they have become. Pekin football has always been a tight-knit group, Nutter wrote, “Every season is important to us because we know it's the last season for the seniors. We coaches spend more time with our athletes than we do with our families.” 

As well as being there for each other as a family, Pekin Football is always finding ways to help the community. The organization makes a statement to the public by turning a roster into a family and supporting others. “The Football team, always, is a great reflection on Pekin High School, they do so many different things in the community, they really represent us in the best light that you could want a student-athlete to,” notes Assistant Athletic Director Ross Pesch.

Pekin Community High School’s Varsity Football team develops athletes physically and mentally in many ways. The coaching staff expects the players to hold themselves to the utmost standard by developing as players and young men. Mother of Senior Lineman Braden Sullivan, Bridgette, explains, “To see him never touch a football, to how the coaches helped him, getting to be on the 2022 season team, how they all grew into a family, and gave him a sense of belonging, was the best experience.”  The coaches prioritize turning freshmen into well-rounded athletes as well as students after four seasons. As seniors leave and go on to college, it is the coach’s goal to ensure character development. 

As seniors, these players work harder than ever to make the last season count. Senior Landon Erxlaben was an asset to the Dragons. Erxleben points out, “It was kinda like my last time and I don't know what I really wanna do after high school whether it's throw shot, or football, so this was kinda like the last one with the boys I’ve been with since the beginning.” An emotional time for what could be the last game for some of the players. Though they are disappointed with the loss, it is great to see the high spirits and good character shine through the adversity.

This year also brings promise for the seasons to come. Junior Running Back, Ty Jackson, got a lot of time on the field during his sophomore and junior seasons, “It hurts to lose seniors, but I am beyond blessed and thankful for the memories made and the people I shared them with, we’ll figure it out without them next year, cause they gave us all some experience.” The Dragons will have many starting players return in the 2025 season, as well as new talent coming up in the community. The Dragons are working hard in the off season and hitting the weight room; they will keep training year-round as they prepare for next season.