Collin Cheshier is all about execution.
“I’m more so a ‘don’t talk about it, be about it’ kind of a guy,” he said. “That’s my motto in football, but in life as well.”
It would seem the senior outside linebacker’s mentality is shared by teammates in Wauconda’s defense, which has four shutouts and hasn’t allowed more than 13 points in any game except a 62-30 Northern Lake County Conference win against Grayslake North on Oct. 15.
When Cheshier and the Bulldogs need a stop, they make it.
“Each person has a specific role in our defense,” Cheshier said. “If we can execute our position, it comes together as a collective whole.”
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After rolling through the regular season, second-seeded Wauconda (9-0) is ranked No. 7 in Class 6A in the poll by The Associated Press and will play a first-round game at home against 15th-seeded conference rival Lakes (5-4) at 7 p.m. Friday.
Expectations were high for the Bulldogs coming into the season, so Cheshier isn’t too surprised by their success.
“We don’t expect anything less from our team except greatness, especially on defense,” he said. “We’re kind of used to that chemistry and bond we have, and it’s something we expect out of each other, to play fast and physical.”
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Cheshier, who occasionally plays running back in short-yardage and goal-line packages, has made his mark on that defense. He’s second on the team in tackles with 61 and tackles for loss with five, and he also has three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
“He’s such a hard hitter,” Wauconda coach Dave Mills said. “His actions speak a lot louder than his words. He chooses his words carefully. There’s no fluff. He just goes.”
Cheshier and most of Wauconda’s other seniors, including quarterback Vince Bennett and running back/free safety Colin Husko, had great success in the Bulldog Youth Sports program.
They lead a team that has scored 44.7 points per game and allowed 9.1 points per game. The Bulldogs’ 35.6 average scoring margin is the highest among 6A playoff teams.
“We’ve been playing since we were little kids, and we’ve had that bond as teammates,” Cheshier said. “That’s something huge. I wouldn’t want to be playing with anyone else. We’ve been proving we’re the team year and year again.”
Husko said Cheshier’s devotion to doing things the right way on defense has made him a dangerous opponent for offenses.
“I’ve played with him a very long time,” Husko said. “He’s a scrapper. He’s got a nose for the ball. He keeps his hips squared to the line. He’s just an important factor on defense.”
There have been a few light moments this season for Cheshier. During a 24-13 victory on Sept. 24, he trotted onto the field as a running back when the Bulldogs were in scoring position on Antioch’s 16-yard line.
“We sent in our short-yardage package, and the closest person to tackle him was the official,” Mills said. “He had to spin off the official to get into the end zone. He was like, ‘Coach, you’ve got to get the official out of the way.'”
Cheshier said he would take advantage of an opportunity to play college football. He’s keeping an open mind about that, as well as what he might pursue academically.
“I feel like I can do anything I want to in life,” he said.
Gregg Voss is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.