Family means everything to Neuqua Valley senior Carter Stare.
You don’t have to share his DNA to be considered part of his circle.
“Family is a huge thing for me,” Stare said. “That’s why I love this football team. Deep in my heart, I view every one of these guys as my brothers. I love each and every one of them.”
Stare’s family has played a big role in Neuqua’s success in recent years. His older brothers, Brandt and Garrett, were star wide receivers who now play for Wisconsin-Platteville.
The 5-foot-9, 155-pound Stare is following in their footsteps. He has an offer from Platteville, so he may finally get the chance to take the field with his brothers.
“Both of my brothers have come through here and dominated,” Carter said. “They showed me the way.
“When I got pulled up (to varsity) as a freshman, I was going to play with Garrett, but unfortunately, he tore his ACL. But he was one of the biggest mentors to me in what to do and how to do it.”
Carter Stare does many things well. He starts at receiver and defensive back and also serves as the Wildcats’ punter.
All of those talents were on display Friday night during host Neuqua’s 10-6 win over Minooka in Naperville. Stare helped lead a defensive effort that allowed only 134 yards. He also caught four passes for 61 yards and ran three times for 29 yards, including a 21-yard gain for a first down on a fake punt.
That versatility endears Stare to his coaches and teammates.
“What I really like about him is his leadership,” Neuqua Valley coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “He’s one of the smarter kids in the school and he’s a good leader.
“He’s been on varsity for four years, so the stage is not too big for him. Sometimes, the stage is too big for people. The stage is never too big for Stare. That’s what makes him special.”
Ellinghaus foresees Stare being a dominant slot receiver in college. Several plays back up that assessment.
The most impressive came midway through the fourth quarter. The Wildcats (1-1) were pinned on their own 12 when Stare made a leaping catch for a 21-yard gain while being clotheslined.
A 15-yard face mask penalty advanced the ball to the 48, and senior quarterback Ryan Mohler later found Stare for a 15-yard gain.
The drive eventually stalled, but Minooka (1-1) got the ball back with only 2:09 left. Easton Taylor’s interception then clinched the win.
“My brother Garrett texted me,” Stare said. “He said, ‘Go ball out, leave it on the field and don’t think. Just do.’ That’s what I did. I’m embracing that philosophy.”
Yet he knows he cannot do it alone.
“A big part of that was Ryan Mohler trusting me,” Stare said. “Whenever he could, he got me the ball. He was throwing absolute dots right where they needed to be.”
Mohler knows he has a security blanket in Stare.
“Carter is probably the best route runner in the state,” Mohler said. “I don’t think there is a single DB that can guard him.
“I’d take him over every single defensive back in man coverage, and I can take him in zone coverage. He’s a smart player.”
Stare, who has a 4.0 GPA, is smart enough to know he’s only as strong as his team and he doesn’t view himself as “the guy” on the team.
He also gave an interesting replay when asked what his best strength is.
“It may seem like a cop-out answer,” Stare said. “But it’s my family — my dad and my brothers.”
Stare’s dad, Lonny, played football and baseball at Navy and had a four-year career playing baseball in the minor leagues.
“He knows what it’s like to be an athlete, and that’s very big in parenting,” Stare said. “After our loss last week, he did a very good job of consoling me.
“He also knows how to light a fire under me.”
Stare’s fire also is stoked by the lukewarm interest from colleges.
“He gets written off a lot,” Mohler said. “A lot of people don’t think much of him because of his size.”
But Stare’s biggest motivation is playing for his teammates.
“I’m going to play college football,” Stare said. “A lot of these kids, after the last game, are not. I just want them to get one more game. That’s all I care about.
“I don’t care about myself or if I get the ball. I just care that we win the ballgame.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.