Matt McClelland spent last season playing as a part-time defensive end for Hinsdale South. This season, his full attention is on his new role: starting left end.
There’s no question opposing offenses will focus on stopping Hinsdale South’s right end, Josh King. After all, King is the state’s top-rated prospect and a Michigan State recruit who is 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds. But linemen cannot afford to forget about the 210-pound McClelland, who will serve as the other bookend to the Hornets’ defensive line. Junior Aaron Woods, who is 6-0 and 237 pounds, is the leading candidate to play nose tackle.
“We’ve been blessed over the years to always have that kind of defensive end,” Hinsdale South coach Mike Barry said. “We’re really fortunate … If Josh wasn’t who Josh is, Matt would be getting all the attention. We’re feeling pretty good about that [position].”
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McClelland spent his spare time this summer at Darien’s new Workout Anytime, a 24-hour fitness center that opened in January at the site of a former hardware store. McClelland, of Willowbrook, prefers to drop in at late hours — feeding off the solitary atmosphere.
“I like the private workout when no one else is there,” said McClelland, who said he has frequented the gym at 10 p.m. or even 1 a.m. “Afterward, I get a pretty good sleep, at least.”
McClelland’s solitary workouts don’t end at Workout Anytime. He also goes out to Hinsdale South’s practice field on his own time and works out by himself on the team’s blocking sleds.
“[Defensive line] coach Jarrod Amolsch told me to try it,” McClelland said. “I like to go by myself. I just zone out and focus on football.”
McClelland filled in last season when starters Matt Brandeis or King suffered injuries and were held out of games. Brandeis, who is now playing at Air Force, had 23 tackles in six games. King played in seven games.
Last year’s playing time gave McClelland plenty of training for this season, since he will now be expected to stay on the field for nearly every opposing snap. McClelland made 15 tackles in seven games last season.
“It was great,” McClelland said. “I had to step up. I was nervous when that happened [injuries to the starters]. The guys stepped up and I needed to fill some spots. Me and King look to make a mess out of [opposing] backfields this season.”
Twitter: @geomwilcox