Huntley’s football team reserves jersey numbers 1-9 for senior team leaders such as defensive linemen Caleb Jones and Olalere Oladipo.
Senior Justin Domingo wears No. 74. He doesn’t need a low jersey number to signify leadership — he lives it.
“Justin has been an inspiration to all of us,” Huntley coach Matt Zimolzak said. “Sometimes I can’t believe his energy level.”
Domingo, a starting right guard, endured a physically and mentally devastating junior year. First he defeated meningitis, and then cancer. He was diagnosed last Nov. 24 with Hodgkin’s disease, a lymph node cancer with relatively high survival rates.
Domingo recovered and has been a constant source of motivation for Huntley (7-3), which hosts Fremd (7-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday in a Class 8A second-round playoff game.
“Last August, when I had the meningitis, I was real sensitive to light, was shivering and weak and tired,” Domingo said. “When I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s, I was having the same symptoms.”
Domingo came off the meningitis to be a reserve during Huntley’s 10-1 season in 2015. He anticipated starting as a senior, and the diagnosis of Hodgkin’s disease proved a severe test.
“It obviously cheered me up when they said it’s a really curable form of cancer, but the thought of cancer at first — you just don’t know what to think, really,” Domingo said. “At first I thought I wouldn’t be able to play football.
“I was more disappointed than depressed about it. Football, this team, they’re like a second family to me. I remembered thinking, ‘This can’t keep me back, this is my senior year.’ I didn’t want to miss out on anything. I’ve been playing with these guys since I was little. I couldn’t just leave them in the dust.”
Domingo’s chest bears a scar from the catheter needed for his chemotherapy. He came through treatments well, and actually gained weight.
It allowed Domingo to begin lifting weights in April, but when the team began workouts he wasn’t sure about his comeback.
“It was horrible,” Domingo said. “I was so out of shape. I wasn’t used to anything. I felt so weak and out of place.
“At first, I was thinking I didn’t really want to do this anymore because I just didn’t feel the same as I did before.”
It wasn’t a normal thought process for the 295-pound lineman, who excels at pulling to block for quarterback Eric Mooney in the option running game.
As Domingo continued working, he became positive he’d make it back 100 percent for the season-opening 35-0 win over Jacobs. Exams in the offseason and this season have certified Domingo’s recovery.
“He’s definitely inspired us to keep driving and keep going through, into these playoffs,” Jones said.
Domingo became more than inspiration. He is a crucial part of a Huntley offensive line that helped Mooney run for two touchdowns and throw for another in last Friday’s 21-20 upset of Stevenson.
“We still have a lot we can improve on,” Domingo said. “We made a lot of mistakes. We have turned the ball over quite a few times this year, but we didn’t have a turnover against Stevenson for the first time this season.”
The comeback victory earned Huntley a battle of underdogs. The Red Raiders are seeded 24th in Class 8A and Fremd is the 25th seed.
“What was really big about our win last week was it was the first game we’ve ever come back from behind to win,” Domingo said. “It was exciting, a thrill for everyone.”
Domingo, of course, knows all about comebacks. His presence at practice gives Zimolzak something to point at when the chips are down.
“For him to come back from what he’s been through and dedicate himself to getting as good as he’s been is really a tribute to his attitude and effort,” Zimolzak said. “Everybody kind of sees it.
“When things are going wrong, it’s easy for us (coaches) to say, ‘Hey, Domingo’s done it.’ We can’t think our problems are anywhere near as bad as his were, and look where he is.”
Twitter @genechamberlai2
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5 PLAYOFF GAMES TO WATCH
St. Charles East at New Trier
When: 7 p.m. Friday
What to watch: In 8A, St. Charles East (10-0) and fullback Justin Jett 8-2 must execute ball control again to keep it away from dual threat quarterback Clay Czyzynski and New Trier (8-2).
Rockford Lutheran at Genoa-Kingston
When: 7 p.m. Friday
What to watch: In 4A, Genoa-Kingston (10-0) and linebacker Trey McCarty must find a way to slow down quarterback Payton Womack for Rockford Lutheran (8-2).
Fremd at Huntley
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
What to watch: In 8A, the Underdog Bowl pits Huntley (7-3) as 24th seed, and defensive end Caleb Jones (9 sacks), against 25th seed Fremd (7-3), a big line and passing of quarterback Tom Josten.
St. Charles North at Rockford Auburn
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
What to watch: In 7A, Rockford Auburn (9-1), with 6-foot-3, 300-pound lineman Terry Brown and quarterback Nathan Jarrett, pose a problem for St. Charles North (9-1) and pass rusher Trey Kellogg (14 sacks).
Jacobs at Batavia
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
What to watch: In 7A, quarterback Chris Katrenick seems to put every pass right on the money for Jacobs (6-4). But Batavia (8-2) and linebacker Johnny Walsh are a huge challenge defensively.