Waukegan senior Kevion Moton rarely leaves the field, but not only out of necessity.
Moton is two-way mainstay for the Bulldogs, whose roster was very limited by the end of their winless 2025 season. He’s laying the groundwork for that to change.
“I am not a big talker, but I want my actions to show others how to do things correctly,” Moton said. “I feel like the work I put in during the offseason rubbed off on a few guys, and hopefully that will lead to them being more ready to play.”
More are playing this season, that’s for sure. According to Darrell Thomas, Waukegan’s first-year coach, more than 40 players are on the team. Moton hopes that leads to more success for the Bulldogs, who lost 41-12 at Niles North in the season opener last week and will play North Chicago in their first home game on Friday.
“This year we’ve come together more as a team, and a lot of people have stepped up in coming to practice,” Moton said. “Some of our backups are still learning, but I think we’ll be able to rely on them being able to compete.”
The Bulldogs haven’t won more than one game in a season since 2016.
“I would really want two or three wins and at least compete with teams,” Moton said. “Last year, it seemed like every game had a running clock in the third or fourth quarter. Teams didn’t even have to try against us. I want teams to have to practice hard before playing Waukegan.”
Moton played hard in the opener. He had three tackles, with two for a loss and a sack. He also used his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame in the offensive backfield to help clear enough holes for the Bulldogs to churn out 213 yards rushing.
“Kevion has been playing for us for four years, and he was always an impact player on the JV level,” Thomas said. “He had one of our best percentages for being at offseason workouts and in the weight room, and now we’ve got him playing some different positions, so he can hopefully make as much of an impact as possible.”
Moton has moved from linebacker to defensive end, which works for him.
“At end, there’s more action there, and they’re more likely to be coming right at you, which I like,” he said. “It’s important to hold the edge there. At linebacker, you have to read and react to what the offense is doing.”
Moton, whose offseason training was geared toward getting faster and building endurance, attended a speed training class held by Zion-Benton track coach Darnell Rios.
“I would also run hills and run around my neighborhood,” Moton said. “I definitely noticed a difference (in the opener). I was more elusive, and I was able to come out of breaks faster.”
Moton’s efforts also influence his teammates, according to senior middle linebacker Jeremiah Hood.
“You can see him always trying to motivate others to get to practice, and that way they can get bigger and better with us,” Hood said. “He wants to see others do well, and that showed on the field with how he was setting the edge and forcing things inside to us. He was helping us eat too.”
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Moton’s work ethic is a reflection of his love for the sport.
“There’s no feeling in the world that’s better than being out there with the people I’ve grown up playing with,” he said. “To be able to look around at the crowd and know that they’re watching you, or they roar when you make a big play, is a great feeling.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.