The talk around the Barrington football team often focuses on offensive firepower. After all, the Broncos have averaged 45 points in winning their first four games, including a 42-21 victory over Wheeling on Saturday, Sept. 19.
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But coach Joe Sanchez said not to overlook the defense and senior defensive tackle Grant Elliott.
“Grant is a tremendous representative of our program. A leader on and off the field,” Sanchez said. “I just love his motor. He never stops.”
That motor is shown in the way Elliott relishes the opportunity to play on special teams. He’s on both punt teams and the kickoff return, which included lining up on the front line for a Wheeling onside kick.
Was he nervous when the kicker aimed for him?
“You can get nervous. But for me I like to embrace it,” Elliott said. “It’s like, ‘All right, they’re picking me out.’ They’re challenging you.”
Elliott began his varsity career at Barrington as a special teams player his sophomore season. Sanchez said that Elliott is used on special teams because, “he just loves the game. Loves to compete. He’s willing to do whatever he has to in order to help our team be successful. A credit to who he is.”
The 6-foot-1, 220-pounder had seven tackles and a quarterback sack along with a quarterback hurry in just over one half of play during Barrington’s victory over host Wheeling (0-4). Wheeling scored on an interception return and two other touchdowns against the Broncos reserves, as Elliott and his fellow starters held the Wildcats to 20 yards of offense in the first half.
The game kicked off Friday, Sept. 18, but was postponed due to lightning with Barrington leading 14-7 late in the first quarter. Play resumed Saturday afternoon at Hersey, since there was a marching band festival at Wheeling.
Barrington senior quarterback Johnny Davidson was 14-for-19 for 234 yards and one touchdown, a 50-yard pass to junior Josh Babicz, before Barrington switched quarterbacks early in the second half. He also rushed for two scores (1 yard, 6 yards) and 98 yards, while senior tailback Nate King found the end zone on three runs (1, 12, 4).
“Our defense is really designed for the linebackers,” said junior outside linebacker Blake Holley, who recovered a Wheeling fumble. “He [Elliott] does a lot of the dirty work to make sure the linemen don’t get to us. And at the same time he’s able to make plays.”
Junior linebacker Ryan Bornhofen was quick to give Elliott another accolade.
“He helps me out. Directing me where to go,” Bornhofen said.
Elliott was switched this season from defensive end, where he started as a junior, to the defensive tackle position.
“It’s nice because the action is happening a lot faster,” Elliott said.
Although Elliott doesn’t play on the Broncos’ kick coverage team, he might be lobbying a bit for that assignment.
“It’s nice to hit people,” Elliott laughed. “Every time you get a chance to do that, it’s always good.”
Mark Perlman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @markdavidperlma