That was the diagnosis from the first trip to the emergency room. The second one shed more light: Macaulay’s appendix was ruptured. Immediate surgery was required.
The news was a huge blow to the Crystal Lake South senior football player, who was prepared to start on both sides of the ball.
Still, the timing could have been worse. As his teammates quickly pointed out after the appendectomy, the five to six weeks of expected recovery time meant Macaulay would be back in time to face rival Cary-Grove.
It has become the game of the year every year in the Fox Valley Conference, and this one’s even bigger than that.
Macaulay will start at safety and see time as a wingback when the 7-0, Tribune-ranked teams renew acquaintances Friday night in Cary.
Crystal Lake South has outscored opponents 283-27, while Cary-Grove has scored 314 points and allowed 34.
“I couldn’t wait for the season to start. I was really excited about being a two-way starter,” Macaulay said. “Everyone was really bummed when this happened. After the surgery, I heard someone in the background say, ‘He’ll be back for Cary,’ and I kind of smiled.
“Before the season, you try to take it one game at a time, but in the back of our minds, we’re always thinking about this game.”
Macaulay made an immediate impact in his return in Week 5, scoring on a 28-yard run and recording an interception in a 55-7 victory over Dundee-Crown.
His weight had dropped from 188 to 166, but he’s back up to 185 and feeling “about” 100 percent.
“Twenty pounds was a lot; he didn’t have much to lose,” Crystal Lake South coach Jim Stuglis said. “I didn’t know if we’d get him back. Each day he gets better, and he seems pretty close to full strength. He’s a good player for us.”
