Cole Jacobs gets the question a lot.
Football and water polo?
It’s an unusual athletic combination, sure, but nothing new for the Naperville North senior.
Named first team All-State and honorable mention All-American in water polo last spring, Jacobs is now a key piece of the Huskies’ defensive line.
“Water polo is something I’ve done since the first or second grade, football the same thing,” Jacobs said. “I haven’t been able to let go.”
Something is in the water these days with North football, and it’s not just its resident water polo star.
The Huskies (5-0, 4-0) are off to their best start since 2008. They’re one of the biggest surprises around and host fellow unbeaten Neuqua Valley on Friday night for the DuPage Valley Conference lead.
To Jacobs, they’re just getting started.
“Personally, I believe that this is the position that we as a team knew that we had to be in if we wanted to have the season we thought we could have,” Jacobs said.
North’s no-huddle offense gets a lot of attention, but don’t sleep on the Huskies’ defense. The Huskies held Glenbard North to a season-low 13 points last Friday, and allow just 82.0 rushing yards per game.
Jacobs, who started four games as a junior, was moved from weak-side end to exclusively right end this fall.
More than schematics, the biggest difference around North is attitude.
“It’s more the experience and swagger we’ve gained,” Jacob said. “Our defensive line has played out of their minds.”
That line features tackles Malik Wells and Isaac Velasco and ends Alex Iaccino and Jacobs, all returning starters.
Jacobs is fourth on North in tackles with 20, four of them for loss, and has recovered a fumble. He blocked an extra point against Glenbard.
The rangy 6-foot-3, 205-pounder also is part of nearly every group on North’s special teams.
“He’s the type of kid that has a knack to be where the ball is when you need a big play,” Huskies coach Sean Drendel said of Jacobs. “He has great ball sense.”
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It’s no surprise that Jacobs got started in a water sport.
His older sister Devin is a sophomore on Iowa’s swim team. Cole dropped basketball for swimming after his sophomore year.
Quitting football for club water polo, though, wasn’t going to happen. Water polo builds length strength and promotes active hands, both useful qualities in a defensive lineman.
More than anything, Jacobs thinks his success at water polo has helped his intangibles.
“The competitive edge is something in football I may have lacked before,” Jacobs said. “My experience in water polo helped.”
Water polo will likely chart Jacobs’ future — he’s talked to Navy, Air Force, Santa Clara and a number of Ivy League schools — but he’s hardly just a jock.
With a 3.85 GPA and 32 ACT score, Jacobs plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
He likes to debate and joined North’s youth and government program. Jacobs goes there Wednesdays after football practice. Eventually the team will write and present a bill in a state-wide competition.
“It’s a ton of fun,” Jacobs said.
“Cole is the kind of kid I’d want if I was looking for a son, the kind of kid you’d want dating your daughter,” Drendel said.
Friday, though, the attention will squarely be on football.
Jacobs is well aware of the challenge ahead, against a Neuqua offense that’s the highest scoring in the DVC at 33.2 points per game. North is second.
“They’re a talented football team and we’re a talented football team,” Jacobs said. “If we play as well as we can we can give them a good game.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
WEEK 6 GAMES TO WATCH
Neuqua Valley at Naperville North
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
What to watch: Unbeatens put DuPage Valley lead on the line. Big plays could be difference and both boast game-breakers: Isaiah Robertson and Donny Navarro for Neuqua (5-0, 4-0), and Nick Calcagno and Mitch Lewis for North (5-0, 4-0).
Waubonsie Valley at Wheaton Warrenville South
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
What to watch: Between the nail-biter against Metea Valley and their trip to Indiana, Warriors (3-2, 3-2) must be wary of potential trap game in DVC. Nate Ashford is coming off season-best 192-yard rushing game. Containing senior receiver Cam Moore is top priority against Wheaton (0-5, 0-5).
Naperville Central at Lakewood St. Edward (Ohio)
When: Noon Saturday.
What to watch: Huge test for Redhawks (3-2) against Ohio’s two-time defending state champs. For Lakewood (4-1), junior receiver/safety Michael Dowell has offer from Michigan State. Luke Turner and Central defense need to force turnovers, keep close until late.
Benet at Marian Catholic
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
What to watch: Tied atop East Suburban Catholic, Benet (4-1, 3-0) can’t overlook opponent that gave it fits last year. Benet’s Ben Cooney, with seven interceptions and a punt return for a TD, is a playmaker. Illinois-bound quarterback Cameron Thomas leads Marian (1-4, 0-3).
Metea Valley at Lake Park
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
What to watch: Two talented young quarterbacks face off in sophomore Payton Thorne for Metea (1-4, 1-4 DVC) and junior Jackson Behles for Lake Park (2-3, 1-3). The Mustangs, whose last three losses are by total of seven points, are due for a break.
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