After taking the job as Hersey’s defensive coordinator, former Hoffman Estates coach Mike Donatucci noticed something odd about his new unit.
In particular, he zoned in on one particular player: Colton Kamysz.
Kamysz, who is 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds, caught Donatucci’s attention.
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“When I first met Colton in January, (head) coach Joe Pardun said, ‘Here’s my linebacker,'” Donatucci recalled.
“I looked over at him and said, ‘What?'”
Kamysz, a senior, doesn’t have the dimensions of most linebackers, but he makes up for it with toughness and experience. He started last year and has been a linebacker for most of the time he’s played football.
His formula for success?
“I play fast, quick on my feet and stay low and move through those guys,” Kamysz said. “It’s how I’ve been doing it for years. I’ve always had the mindset of playing fast and tough.
“No matter the size or skill of the guy, if I’m playing at my best and aggressive and hard, I know I can play well.”
Kamysz is also a gymnast and relies on a strong upper body to bring down tacklers. He’s worked on his lower-body strength for football, and he’s become a key contributor for the Huskies (6-1, 3-0 Mid-Suburban East).
“I have natural strength,” he said. “Gymnastics helps with grip and building my upper body (strength).”
Kamysz’s role in Hersey’s defense has been essential to its improvement from 3-6 last season to an automatic berth in the state playoffs. The Huskies beat Buffalo Grove 33-14 on Friday to hand the Bison their first loss of the season.
The Huskies’ defense allowed a touchdown with 3.7 seconds left in the second quarter, snapping a string of 14 quarters without allowing a TD. Hersey travels to Rolling Meadows (6-1, 3-0) on Friday.
Pardun said linebackers Kamysz and Nick Wiley are leaders on the defense. He noted that Kamysz has become a consistent player this year.
“Colton has matured a lot for us this year,” he said. “He was a good player last year, but now he’s really showing some emotion and been a solid producer.”
Kamysz recovered a fumble on Buffalo Grove’s botched punt attempt late in the third quarter. That led to a Huskies touchdown.
“Last year I was thinking more of making the plays and tackles myself,” Kamysz said, “but this year, it’s more about doing my job in order for the whole defense to succeed and be successful.”
Donatucci, who has seen plenty of defensive playmakers come through MSL programs, said Kamysz brings many intangibles to the table.
“He’s a smart kid, quick and tough,” he said. “You can’t play at this level and not be tough. He’s played so well for us. He’s earned everything that he’s got.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press