Walk before you run.
It’s something children are taught from an early age. It’s also a lesson Kaneland junior Josh Mauthe learned well last season — and took to heart.
Mauthe didn’t get ahead of himself when he was promoted to the varsity as a sophomore and asked to change positions, moving from linebacker to defensive end.
“He was just a big kid with a high motor,” Kaneland coach Pat Ryan said. “We needed some size on the defensive line.”
Mauthe was not supersized as a sophomore, however, playing at 6-feet tall and 200 pounds.
Look at him now.
Following a growth spurt, the 6-3 and 215-pound Mauthe leads the defensive line. He had a team-high 13 tackles with four tackles for loss and two sacks Friday for the Knights in a 45-6 rout of Woodstock North.
It made Kaneland (5-3) playoff eligible for the fifth straight season under Ryan.
The Knights, who finished 5-5 last year after losing to Class 5A state champion Fenwick in the first round of the playoffs, hope to improve their seeding this week. They play host to LaSalle-Peru (5-3), which should be good postseason preparation.
Mauthe plays on the strong side of the line in the Knights’ 3-4 system. And he’s running more now than walking.
“Same spot as last year,” Mauthe said. “I was really new to it and happy to play varsity. Wherever they needed me, I was eager to learn and do my best. Our whole team was really young and kind of progressing as we went.
“Learning technique was the toughest because you’re playing more experienced players who are two years older. And some, dealing with their size as well, was tough. I was pretty small.”
Things change, however.
“This year, especially after the hard work we put in during the offseason, we’ve progressed a lot,” Mauthe said.
In his case, it definitely shows.
He was ninth on the team last season with 34 tackles, including seven for loss with two sacks.
Eight games into this season, Mauthe ranks third on the team with 73 tackles, trailing only senior safety Alex Panico with 80 and senior linebacker Dawson Trebolo with 76.
“It feels good,” Mauthe said. “We’re all doing our jobs, which helps me to be able to make those plays. It’s nice to get that glory.”
Mauthe leads the Knights with 22 tackles for loss, seven sacks and seven quarterback hurries.
“His numbers are very consistent,” Ryan said. “He’s putting pressure on the quarterback on a regular basis.”
Seniors Austin Lilly and Christian Morgan and juniors Nick Alstott and Eli Smith rotate to hold down the other two spots on the line.
“Josh kind of anchors that line for us,” Ryan said. “And then we have a committee, with several of those guys working on the offensive line as well.”
Mauthe is limited but productive on offense with 21 carries for 91 yards and three touchdowns. His one pass reception produced a 4-yard TD.
“I run it here and there and do a lot of blocking,” Mauthe said. “I’m more of a short-yardage runner.”
The Knights’ three losses have come at the hands of good teams — Kishwaukee River/Interstate Eight White leader Sycamore (8-0), perennial power Morris (7-1) and Geneva (5-3).
“As disappointing as it is to have three losses, those are all quality teams,” Ryan said. “Hopefully, we can finish strong. If we can finish 6-3, we’d end up with one of the higher number of playoff points in 5A.”
A rematch with Sycamore might even be a possibility.
The teams were tied 7-7 at halftime, but Kaneland’s offense sputtered and struggled to finish drives and didn’t have good field position in a 28-7 loss.
“We’re more focused on this week,” Mauthe said of the Sycamore game. “While I think it would be interesting to play them again, we can’t look ahead.”
Lesson learned.