Plain and simple, Wauconda junior Brock Pfeiffer likes to have the ball in his hands.
Given that Pfeiffer essentially doesn’t leave the field, he’s getting a lot of opportunities to either be on the prowl for big plays in the secondary or reel in a pass as a receiver.
“I’m really ball-hungry,” he said. “Whenever I see a ball in the air, I’m running for it, whether it’s on the other side of the field or to me. I just try to get to the ball as much as I can.”
Pfeiffer has become pretty proficient at doing just that. He had only two touches in Wauconda’s 16-14 road win against Antioch on Friday, but both plays were vital for the Bulldogs to stay in the driver’s seat for their second straight Northern Lake County Conference title.
The outcome in the hard-hitting affair wasn’t decided until Antioch kicker Carter Webb missed a 28-yard field-goal attempt in the final seconds. With the victory, Wauconda (6-0, 4-0) extended its regular-season winning streak to 17 games.
“Brock always seems to be around the ball,” Wauconda defensive coordinator Andrew Springer said. “He finds a way to be in position to make a play.”
Pfeiffer did so on defense against Antioch (3-3, 3-1) by pouncing on a fumble forced by safety Zac Johnson just inside Wauconda territory in the first half. Pfeiffer forced a fumble the previous week and has three interceptions, one of which he almost returned for a touchdown against Grant.
“He does so many good things for us,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “He’s a rock. He’s never freaked out and always solid. He’s always ready to go, and we count on him to do a lot for us.”
That includes catching passes from quarterback Logan Olsen, as well. His sole catch against Antioch was a 4-yard touchdown reception midway through the third quarter that gave Wauconda a 16-7 lead. That was his third offensive TD of the season.
“We had a little comeback route, and I knew he was going to throw it to me when the cornerback lined up inside of me,” Pfeiffer said. “Logan placed it perfectly into my hands.”
Pfeiffer’s desire for the ball came back to bite him earlier in the game. He had Antioch’s Martin Cohen perfectly tracked as Cohen raced down the right seam. With the ball drifting through the air, Pfeiffer made a split-second decision. The result wasn’t what Pfeiffer intended.
“It’s so bad, but I always go for the ball,” he said. “I overpursued going for the pick. He (Cohen) tipped it up, and it went over me and right back into his hands. I probably should have just hit him really hard. It was unfortunate.”
Cohen turned it into a 52-yard touchdown, but it was the kind of aggressive play that helps form an identity, both within Wauconda’s program and among opponents.
Pfeiffer started cementing his reputation last season after a teammate was sidelined with an injury. He ended up tying for the team lead with five interceptions.
Pfeiffer’s effectiveness has risen to new levels this season as he and Johnson have developed into a dynamic duo, often flipping spots in the secondary, depending on the formation and game situation.
“I give them the freedom to do that,” Springer said. “They like to talk, and they know what they’re doing to make those choices at this point.”
Johnson, too, recognizes the partnership.
“Our communication is second to none, our ability to relay messages from sideline to sideline,” he said. “We know what to do, and we get it done.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.