Isaiah Robertson’s golden future isn’t his top priority now.
The Neuqua Valley senior made news in April, when he verbally committed to Notre Dame. Robertson, expected to play safety in South Bend, Ind., is Neuqua’s highest-ranked player in program history.
When the calendar flipped to June, though, it was back to business.
“There was a time for me to enjoy all the outside things,” Robertson said. “But right around June camp, all the switches went back on to Neuqua football and getting ready for the season.”
Robertson has good reason to not want to turn the page just yet.
The wide receiver/defensive back leads 15 returning starters for Neuqua. Robertson, Navy recruit Owen Piche, Anthony Ippolito and Jake Zeiler lead four starters entering a third varsity season.
Little wonder, then, why this could be the Wildcats’ best team since their Class 8A quarterfinalist in 2013.
“I feel really good about our team,” Neuqua coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “When we get healthy, we can be dangerous.”
Therein lies Neuqua’s most pressing concern.
Robertson and Piche, the latter coming off shoulder surgery, are two of a handful of Wildcats nursing injuries. It could be a few weeks until Neuqua is fully healthy.
The gamebreaker is the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Robertson. Few can dominate a game in all phases like the two-way star.
The third-ranked senior in Illinois according to Rivals, Robertson caught 50 passes for 803 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. He added 81 tackles and four interceptions on defense.
“When he’s right, he’ll be a dominant player for us,” Ellinghaus said. “He’s matured over the last year, he’s a little stronger and probably a little faster. He just has to come out and be able to go full speed.”
Robertson doesn’t sound like a guy content on sitting on his scholarship.
“I need to be more physical, not only on offense but on defense,” said Robertson, an All-State safety last year. “I need to stick my nose in there and be able to make plays.”
Robertson is far from being Neuqua’s only playmaker.
Piche, another two-way starter, is a versatile talent who can line up at receiver or in the backfield. Six backs, including returners Griffen Philgren and Greg McClellan, will share the wealth.
The talk of the summer around Neuqua was the emergence of slot receiver Donny Navarro, who caught seven passes as a junior.
“He makes every play on offense a touchdown-ready play, like Isaiah does,” Ellinghaus said of Navarro. “We didn’t have that at that position last year.”
The biggest question, at least offensively, is who will be throwing the quarterback. Senior Jack Bastable will start Friday, but junior Jake Eskoff will also play the position.
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“It’s a good problem that we have,” Robertson said.
Neuqua’s defense gets a big boost with the return of Jon Rhattigan. The senior linebacker went down last season with a torn ACL in Week 2.
With Rhattigan’s return, Ippolito (85 tackles) slides back to strong stride with Casey Larson playing opposite. JaQuere Williams, another player drawing Division I attention, is a lockdown corner and Tommy Ciesla anchors the line.
“It’s huge getting (Rhattigan) back,” Ippolito said. “He makes plays everywhere.”
Neuqua had a first-round playoff exit two years ago, then bowed out last year to Waubonsie Valley in the second round.
Robertson, measured with his predictions, clearly wants more.
“We have a lot more talent on the offensive side, especially in the receiving corps,” Robertson said. “If we do what we’re supposed to do we can make it as far as we need to.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
NEUQUA VALLEY
Last season: 7-4 (5-3 DuPage Valley Conference).
Playoffs: Lost 21-14 to Waubonsie Valley in second round of Class 8A playoffs.
Coach: Bill Ellinghaus, fifth year, 35-11.
Players to watch: Isaiah Robertson, senior, wide receiver/defensive back; Owen Piche, senior, wide receiver/defensive back; Jon Rhattigan, senior, linebacker; Anthony Ippolito, senior, linebacker; Donny Navarro, senior, wide receiver.
Schedule: (x-denotes DuPage Valley Conference game, all begin at 7:30 p.m. unless noted). Aug. 26: x-Metea Valley; Sept. 2: x-Naperville Central; Sept. 9: x-at Waubonsie Valley; Sept. 16: x-Wheaton Warrenville South; Sept. 23: at Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30: x-at Naperville North; Oct. 7: x-Wheaton North; Oct. 14: x-at Lake Park; Oct. 21: x-at Glenbard North.