When Reavis’ offense comes off the field, senior quarterback Noah Caceres does not head back to the bench to rest or discuss the playbook.
He just moves to the other side of the ball and plays linebacker.
“It’s really fun,” Caceres said. “If I mess up at one position, I have a chance to redeem myself literally immediately. That’s what I love about it. It’s fun hitting kids, too. I love playing linebacker.”
Caceres, an Illinois-Springfield baseball recruit, has only been playing football for three years. But he does a little bit of everything for the Rams (4-3).
“He’s really our only quarterback, so I’d love to be in a position where we didn’t need him on both sides,” Reavis coach Tim Zasada said. “If we lose him, we’re not only down our quarterback, but we’re down our most physical linebacker.
“Thank God he takes care of himself. He lifts weights. He does all the proper things. That’s what makes him special. He’s someone who doesn’t want to come off the field.”
Caceres has grown accustomed to catching the opposition off guard with his ability to deliver big hits.
He said Evergreen Park quarterback Deijon Feliciano was surprised to see his counterpart sacking him during a recent game.
“The Evergreen Park quarterback and I were joking around about it,” Caceres said. “People don’t expect the quarterback to be in there on defense hitting you.”
Caceres was the conference’s player of the year in baseball this spring. As a catcher, he is used to long, grueling games.
Playing both ways in football presents a whole new challenge.
“I’d rather crouch behind the plate all day than play both ways in football, especially when people are hitting me,” he said. “I get exhausted by the fourth quarter. That’s when I have to dig deep. That’s when I rely on my teammates to back me up in every way possible.
“When our running game is working late in the game, that’s when it really helps.”
While Caceres may be tired by the end of the game, Zasada said that’s when his star player is at his absolute best.
“When it’s clutch time, he wants the ball in his hands, and he’s been tremendous,” Zasada said. “He’s an angry competitor. The closer a game gets, the more competitive he gets.
“There have been a number of times he’s come to the sideline and convinced me to run a certain play. I’m like, ‘Even if it doesn’t work, I’m sure he’s going to figure it out. He’s going to make it work.'”
Caceres hopes to play in the postseason for the first time. The Rams seek their fifth win Friday at T.F. North.
“We haven’t been to the playoffs the last couple years, so it’d be really cool to make it this year, especially with these guys,” Caceres said. “We’re really a family. I love this team.”
Good vibrations: Junior defensive end Bryan Wilson has been dominant this season for Eisenhower (5-2), recording six sacks and 47 tackles, including 12 for a loss.
“He’s only a junior, so we’re really excited about him,” Eisenhower coach Sheamus Murphy said of Wilson. “He’s taken on that leadership role. He was elected as a captain, and he’s done a great job for us.”
Senior lineman Turvis Triplett and sophomore defensive back Andre Lovett also have been key parts of an Eisenhower defense that’s allowing just 13 points a game.
“We’re jelling at the right time,” Murphy said. “I think we played our most complete game against Argo on Friday (a 35-7 win). Now, we want to be even better. We want to play a perfect game.”
Showdown Saturday: Morgan Park (7-0) will get a chance to prove itself against Simeon (7-0) at 1 p.m. Saturday at Gately Stadium.
Sophomore quarterback Marcus Thaxton has thrown for 12 TDs and just two interceptions for the Mustangs, while sophomore linebacker Jovan Clark has four interceptions.
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.