Wet grounds have McHenry County football, soccer teams looking for solid footing

As if the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t do enough to disrupt high school athletics, Mother Nature decided to put her stamp on the 2020-21 sports season as well.

The coronavirus numbers finally fell low enough that the Illinois Department of Public Health allowed the IHSA to restart its sports season in February. Boys and girls basketball is scheduled to wrap up next week and football and boys soccer practices start on Wednesday.

But February’s heavy snowfall – generally at least 15 to 20 inches around northern Illinois – is causing its own issues now with practice and competition fields that may not yet be playable.

Many local high school teams are seeking out indoor facilities or facilities with outdoor turf fields, like the MAC Athletic Complex in Ridgefield, north of Crystal Lake, for practices. Some schools have even moved games to high schools with turf fields.

MAC director of marketing and programming Mike Zimmerman said the facility is booked solid for the next few weeks.

Crystal Lake South, Marian Central, Prairie Ridge and Woodstock are using the MAC for football. Zimmerman said District 300 (Dundee-Crown, Hampshire and Jacobs) plan on using the outdoor field for some soccer practics and games. Judson University also is using it for men’s and women’s soccer.

Zimmerman said the field is not big enough for high school football games.

“We’re at our capacity for March,” Zimmerman said. “Some schools have come out here for contact days for football and utilized us for that. South was on the turf (Thursday night), it’s so nice out.”

The MAC built an outdoor turf field, with lights, a couple years ago. It will be a popular place the next two-plus weeks. The MAC, realizing the different circumstances this year, are offering schools a discounted rate for rentals.

“We’re going there 12 times before our first game,” Marian Central football coach Darren Fortin said. “We had lots and lots of very generous people who helped us out. (The MAC) is giving us a nice rate, plus we’re going to be able to stretch in the parking lot prior to taking the field. Once we hit the field, we’ll have two hours of work right away.”

Huntley, the only area school with a turf field, will be ready to go on its campus Wednesday.

“They did a test strip on our field about a week ago to see how the sun would melt the ice,” Red Raiders football coach Matt Zimolzak said. “There was an ice layer between the turf and the snow and (the grounds crew) didn’t want to dig that up with a machine. They scraped off the snow to see how quickly the sun would melt it. It looks terrific.”

Huntley athletic director Glen Wilson said schools have asked about moving games to Red Raider Stadium.

“Schools have reached out to us regarding our turf field,” Wilson said. “We are doing our best to manage the multiple levels of spring sports we have while seeing where there may be opportunities to help others in the area.

“There are so many layers to consider: Balancing the needs of our multiple levels of sport offerings, COVID protocols, working with our terrific operations staff, schedule requests, etc.”

Cary-Grove football coach Brad Seaburg says there still is a tarp covering the grass surface at Al Bohrer Field. C-G has scheduled its Week 2 game (Saturday, March 27, 1 p.m.) at Wauconda, which has turf.

“We’re letting nature take its course,” Seaburg said. “It always does, it’s a matter of time. We plowed our two practice fields. By early April, we think we’ll be playing on our field.

“I’m surprised more teams aren’t (finding turf for early games).”

Johnsburg AD Ted Juske has been in contact with Wauconda as a prospective home game site.

“We’re keeping our options open for alternative sites,” Juske said. “If our field still has snow and it’s mushy, it could potentially be a tough turn-around to get ready for next fall. With the weather warming up, if we have the ability to play on our home field, we’re going to play on our home field.”

As Marian’s football schedule stands now, the Hurricanes’ lone game at their own George Harding Field will be against St. Ignatius on Friday, April 9. Marian already agreed to play its home date with St. Viator at the Lions’ home turf field in Arlington Heights.

“We weren’t sure of our field. It’s better to get everything scheduled so we have a game,” Fortin said. “St. Ignatius will be our only home game, but the kids get to play, that’s all I care about.”