Schuckman: Memories become unforgettable, and Central football team’s legacy is equally undeniable

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — As they worked their way past the long line of Decatur St. Teresa faithful waiting to enter Memorial Stadium, a group of Camp Point Central football fans were abruptly stopped by some curious Bulldogs fans.

“Did you get it done?” one asked.

The disappointment echoed in the tone of the response.

“It just wasn’t our day,” Central fan Bill Bergman answered.

The Central fans wished the St. Teresa crew the best of luck before exiting the stadium grounds and making the long walk to where they parked. At that moment, Bergman’s 12-year-old granddaughter, Amelia, asked a poignant question.

“If they get second place, do they get remembered?” she said.

The four adults in the group all smiled. They knew the answer.

This band of brothers will be remembered forever.

Not only did they match the best finish in program history — the 2018 team became the first to play for a state championship and ended as the Class 1A runner-up — they set the single-season record for victories with their 13-1 finish and were arguably one of the best defensive teams Central has ever fielded.

The numbers back that up.

Seven shutouts, 11 games allowing eight points or less, 27 forced turnovers and 129 yards allowed per game.

Dominant to say the least.

“I’m proud of all of them,” Central quarterback/defensive back Nick Moore said. “They’re all my brothers. I love them all.”

More importantly, they rallied an entire community together.

Friday nights were important. Saturday playoff dates were can’t-miss events. And the state title game forced grandmothers to postpone Thanksgiving dinner to accommodate travel plans without a single complaint.

Is that unusual in Camp Point? Not at all. For the better part of the last two decades, the Central football program has created a community-based environment, but the passion for watching this team and tracking its success might have been at an all-time high.

It felt like the entire town of Camp Point and all of the surrounding communities invaded Tent City and Memorial Stadium, attempting to give the Panthers as much of a home-field advantage as anyone can get inside the University of Illinois’ 60,670-seat venue.

“The community support all season has been phenomenal,” Central lineman Cole Pracht said.

Much like the effort on the field.

“We gave them everything we had,” Central coach Brad Dixon said. “We didn’t back down.”

No one associated with the Central program ever will.

Which is why the memories, like this team, will be unforgettable.

“I told them after the game the trophies are nice, but obviously it’s all the memories we’ve made throughout this year,” Dixon said. “We’ve made some great ones.”

That’s how you get remembered.