Oak Forest’s William McMaster understands the paradox of his position.
The more carries the senior running back gets, the greater the physical stress — and with that comes a surge in production and also greater odds for making the big play.
“Honestly, I love getting hit,” he said. “You just keep on lighting the fire and feeding it like wood. If I keep getting the ball, I’m going to see more opportunities and also the mistakes by the defense.
“They get tired, and that’s when I can make the big cutback or get into an outside lane.”
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound McMaster did that and more Friday night, gaining 105 yards on 12 carries and scoring two touchdowns in the host Bengals’ 38-0 nonconference victory over Stagg.
So far this season, McMaster has rushed for 231 yards and scored three TDs for Oak Forest (1-1). He’s averaging an efficient 6.6 yards a carry.
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Last season as a junior, he started every games as the Bengals finished 11-2 and reached the Class 5A state semifinals. His contribution to winning extends beyond the pure numbers.
He was named a team captain this fall along with senior offensive tackle Louie Staszak.
“I’d describe Will as a very controlled leader,” Staszak said. “He never lashes out or shows any signs of weakness. He’s one of our most dedicated players.
“He just knows how to lead us in ways that most people might not always think of.”
McMaster missed class and practice due to illness the day before the Stagg game, and Oak Forest coach Zach Sadek was unsure whether he would be able to play.
“I mean, he’s one of the hardest workers on the team, if not the hardest-working kid,” Sadek said of McMaster. “Last year when he emerged, it was really over the summer. We saw it on film.
“We had other plans, but we were so impressed with how hard he hit the hole.”
His 49-yard TD run in the first quarter Friday against Stagg ignited the rout. It also revealed his breakaway speed.
“I think my explosiveness and my vision are my best qualities,” McMaster said. “I think this year I’m going to show myself as more of a downhill runner.
“The coaches have done a great job of taking it to the next level to give me more opportunities out there, and I think I’ve really taken a jump.”
During his first two years of high school, McMaster was on the wrestling team, toggling between the varsity and the lower levels.
After the deep state playoff run in football, he took last winter off from wrestling to train. He still practiced with the team but used that time to develop his body.
The lessons had a profound carryover effect.
“It’s not just the toughness and the discipline,” he said. “It’s the idea of making weight and showing up every day and grinding in a hot room. I thought it really translated well on the practice field.”
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Like his two older brothers, McMaster is mechanically inclined. He loves to work on engines and build things. He enjoys solitude and spending time in nature, with fishing as his favorite activity.
On the field, he has built a reputation as a player unafraid to absorb hits or take the punishment. Until he arrived at Oak Forest for freshman year, McMaster had never played tackle football.
As the youngest of five kids, he wasn’t sheltered or protected growing up, but he did have to learn how to assert himself and stand out.
“Being the youngest definitely helped with my mental toughness because you’re going to be thrown around a lot,” he said. “My parents or siblings are competitive, seeing who can run faster.
“I was taught never to give up. I learned from that and it made me tougher.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.