The transition to varsity can sometimes be a little bumpy.
As senior Will Chevalier prepares to shoulder the load this fall as Neuqua Valley’s primary running back, he does so with gratitude.
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Splitting carries with all-conference running back Cam Raupach last season allowed him to slowly get his feet wet.
Now he’s ready to go all-in for a team that missed out on the postseason for the first time since 2009.
“Just being around (Raupach) every single day at practice, he taught me so much,” Chevalier said. “It’s something I’ll never take for granted — his mindset every game, every practice. He really helped mold me into who I am today.”
While Raupach led the Wildcats (5-4) with 786 yards rushing and seven touchdowns, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound Chevalier wasn’t far behind in making an impact.
Chevalier’s 24 receptions and 308 yards receiving were both team highs for an offense that’s undergoing a quarterback change following Jake Eskoff’s graduation.
“Will is so smart,” Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “He’s one of the smartest football players I’ve been around. He really, really understands the game. He does a great job of setting up his blocks.
“He’s a very patient runner and because of that, he’s pretty dynamic back there. He really is.”
Last season, Chevalier ran for 136 yards and a TD on 36 carries.
Those numbers figure to look much different this season with Raupach now at Valparaiso. Chevalier is already bracing for the added attention.
And he’s wise enough to realize what will lead him to a successful senior year.
“I think it’s my vision,” Chevalier said. “We do a lot of zone blocking, and just being patient and waiting for my line to make all their blocks. Give them the time that they need basically sets myself up to get those big runs.”
Four of the Wildcats’ top seven receivers from last season return to help the new starting quarterback, which will be either junior Mark Gronowski or senior Joey Romano.
Senior wide receiver Brandt Stare, who had 17 receptions for 237 yards and two TDs, leads the group. Sean Larkin, Patrick Hoffman and Justin Blazek also are in the mix.
Without question, Stare appreciates the benefit of a three-down running back for an offense that scored an average of 24.7 points in 2017.
“There hasn’t really been much of a change with Will,” Stare said. “He keeps the same mindset — whether he’s splitting time or not. His mindset is to go out there and do as much as he can to help the team.
“Obviously, he’s a great running back and this year he’ll be carrying most of the load. So I’m sure he’s excited for that. But it’s definitely the same old Will.”
Blake Baumgartner is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.