Highland Park outside linebacker Dugan Hever understood that last season wasn’t his time yet.
Then-seniors Sam Goldfeder and Marco Volpentesta were ahead of Hever on the depth chart, and deservedly so, in his first varsity season.
“I wasn’t really that upset that I wasn’t playing much because I was behind two really good players,” Hever said. “I got to learn from them and see what it’s like at this level of competition. That definitely helped me become the player I am today.”
Indeed, Hever has become one of the most productive players in a rugged defense that seems to be peaking at the right time. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound senior has 33 tackles for the Giants (4-3, 2-0), who lead the Central Suburban League Central and have clinched a playoff berth following their 37-16 win over rival Deerfield last week.
Hever made sure his presence was known early in that game. His pressure on sophomore quarterback Cooper Crane on the third play forced an errant throw and resulted in the first of four three-and-outs for the Warriors in the first half.
“I came on a blitz and hit him right as he threw it, and it messed up the throw,” Hever said. “That play set the tone for the game and sent a message that we came ready to play.”
Highland Park yielded only 45 yards to build a 23-0 halftime lead. It may not be a coincidence that Hever had different responsibilities against Deerfield, which had scored 27 points in its loss to Class 8A power Maine South in Week 5.
“I normally drop back into pass coverage on passing downs, but the coaches changed things up for this game,” Hever said. “Deerfield had a huge run on the outside against Maine South, so in the way they run their offense, my main job was to hit the quarterback and not let anybody get outside of me on the edge.”
Hever was active throughout the game, which has come to be expected. But this season hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Although he got two spot starts in 2025, he quickly learned this season that maintaining a high level play after play was a different undertaking.
“A lot of our players had to find their footing early in the season, including me,” Hever said. “The first snap of the year, I felt the jitters. But by Week 3, everyone, me included, started to find a good balance and started piling up the momentum. Now I’m playing with a completely free mind.”
That has allowed Hever to utilize the physical traits that make him a perfect fit for his position.
“I’ve got a pretty big wing span, and you don’t want to let offensive linemen get to your body,” he said. “I wasn’t really using that before because the competition was lower. It almost wasn’t necessary.”
With plus-level speed, Hever also can move into space quickly and chase down plays outside his territory.
“We’ve definitely seen him grow through the course of the year to become one of our best defenders,” Highland Park coach Anthony Kopp said. “He worked so hard during the offseason to have a big jump between his junior and senior year, so the success he’s having is well deserved.”
Highland Park senior center Max Glazier, who has played football with Hever since before high school, has witnessed that work ethic for years. Glazier has also watched Hever flip a switch when he puts on the pads.
“I don’t even recognize him on the field,” Glazier said. “He’s a monster. It’s like two different people because off the field he’s one of the nicest people I know.
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“He’s not super big, so the way he goes against huge tackles and comes away making plays is really impressive. He’s great at setting the edge, no matter who’s coming out his way.”
Coming Highland Park’s way in the final two weeks of the regular season are Niles North and Niles West. The Giants would clinch the division title with a victory over winless Niles West on Oct. 16.
Hever, who also plays basketball and volleyball, said he and Glazier talked in the locker room before the Deerfield game about finishing strong.
“We pulled each other aside and said, ‘This is the moment we’ve been waiting for since peewee football,’ and we went out and got an amazing team win,” Hever said.
“These next few games are so important to us. We need to dig in and give everything we have because it’s the last time we’ll ever play football with each other.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.