BLOOMINGTON - About 500 Central Catholic High School fans cheered their state championship football team Saturday -a celebration capping a journey of "grief and faith." | Kindred: Championship by, and from, the Saints | Rebholz, Murray lead CCHS offense | Photos | Video

The ceremony opened and closed with a prayer with several standing ovations and touching moments of memories, and displays of pride and joy, sandwiched into the almost two-hour celebration in the high school gym.

Principal Joy Allen thanked the team for winning for all Central Catholic supporters and "for those we've left behind."

Several people referred to their "angels." Coach Bobby Moews made special mention of player Dylan Johnson, whose father Gary died earlier this year. Moews said Dylan's father helped him with a dramatic over-the-shoulder catch in Friday night's victory against Aurora Christian. Another frequently mentioned "angel" was "Mr. CCHS," Chuck Schanaberger, who died following a heart attack this fall.

"It was tough to lose those people. We won for them," said quarterback Adam Rebholz. He said he hoped the school puts a picture of the team on the wall "so we can be remembered." It didn't seem by the crowd's reaction they would be forgotten anytime soon.

His coach is hoping others take notice of Rebholz who had an "unbelievable game," calling him probably the best quarterback in the state. "If some college doesn't come in and recruit him I don't know what they are thinking," Moews said.

Allen said she cried when she read a Pantagraph column in Saturday's edition written about the influence Johnson and Schanaberger had on the team and school. On a lighter note, she quipped that when columnist Randy Kindred wrote about heaven and football, it showed the Catholic school was doing a great job getting its message out.

Moews summarized highlights of the 4A state championship game Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Champaign where CCHS beat Aurora Christian, 37 to 28. He drew special attention to the efforts of every senior while naming all freshmen, juniors and sophomores, telling stories of individual achievements.

He introduced all 10 members of his coaching team, thanked parents, cheerleaders, and the fans. "Everyone in this group got together to make this something special we will remember the rest of our lives," said David "Diesel" Murray, a senior.

"It's a family atmosphere, everyone rallied around," said his father, Mike Murray, who like the rest of the family had a "Diesel" fan button.

"This has been one of the years you dream about," said Moews, adding he was riding on the players' coat tails. "I just wanted to make sure I didn't screw it up," he said.

In congratulating Moews on a 26-year journey that has brought the school championships in four state divisions - 1A (1982), 2A (1987), 3A (1994) and now 4A - State Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said Springfield could use someone like him to solve its problems.

"On behalf of every form of government, including the president-elect, we congratulate you," said Brady, who announces home games and is a CCHS alum. "You've done an outstanding job."

State Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, also challenged players to use the leadership and teamwork skills they demonstrated all season throughout their lives.

"These seniors are a joy to coach, they are great leaders, great students and really good football players," he said.

Added Moews, "We hope maybe we'll be back here again next year."