The report says McHenry settled the contest early, with Eli Wickenkamp opening the scoring before Cody Alles-Bundy and Miguel Rondon Rodriguez added further goals.
Alles-Bundy and Rondon Rodriguez reportedly finished with two goals apiece, turning an important conference finale into a one-sided performance. McHenry’s attacking movement repeatedly exposed gaps, while Crystal Lake Central struggled to build a response despite arriving with a strong season record.
The clean sheet also required work. Goalkeeper Auggie Arnold is credited with several important stops, ensuring McHenry’s lead was never threatened.
The scoreline, however, was only part of the story. Bertone reportedly made a brief appearance despite recovering from a liver laceration suffered several weeks earlier.
The veteran goalkeeper received a back pass, sent the ball out of play and then left the field to applause from teammates and supporters. It was a short cameo, but its significance was clear: Bertone was able to share one final competitive moment with his teammates before beginning the next stage of his recovery.
His appearance gave the victory an emotional centre and offered McHenry’s players a powerful reminder of the bonds built throughout a season.
The report places McHenry fifth in the FVC, with a reported overall record of 10 wins, five draws and five defeats. The result also appears to have secured a second consecutive season with at least 10 victories.
Now the focus turns to the postseason. McHenry is expected to open the Class 3A regional against Zion-Benton next Wednesday, while Crystal Lake Central reportedly faces Cristo Rey St. Martin in its final regular-season game before the Class 2A regional stage. For McHenry, the challenge is to carry this emotional momentum into a far less forgiving knockout environment.