Neuqua Valley’s Cole Dutkovich got his first taste in the spring.
The memory — and corresponding success — still lingers in his mind.
“Even though we only played four games, having that experience under my belt, I really feel like I can really do something personally,” Dutkovich said.
Dutkovich developed into something special last season as a sophomore linebacker on the varsity for Neuqua, which opens the season Aug. 27 at Oswego.
He finished with 25 tackles, the second-highest total for Neuqua. He also ended up with 20 unassisted tackles while adding four tackles for loss and a sack.
The 6-foot-2, 220 pound Dutkovich impressed with his athleticism and ability to make plays at the point of impact for the Wildcats (4-0), who had two of their games canceled due to health and safety protocols.
Youth was served in the spring for Neuqua, with Dutkovich leading the way. He blended ideal range with size and also showed speed and quickness to get into coverage on passing downs.
And that’s not all, according to junior quarterback Mark Mennecke.
“Cole is just very impressive with his leadership on and off the field,” Mennecke said.
If Mennecke is the face of the offense, Dutkovich serves an equivalent role on the defensive side of the ball.
“He is very smart and talented,” Mennecke said of Dutkovich. “He always knows what he is doing on the field.”
Dutkovich is the heir apparent to the graduated Trey Borske, who shared defensive player of the year honors in the DuPage Valley Conference.
“Trey is actually a very good friend of mine and I learned a lot from him,” Dutkovich said. “Everybody always wanted to play with him.”
As a sophomore, Dutkovich played as the strongside outside linebacker. Now, he’s taking on Borske’s position at middle linebacker.
“The biggest adjustment is being able to play faster,” Dutkovich said. “On the outside, you have to be more patient and take on blockers.
“In the middle, you have more of a free go at things and you just tackle the ball carrier.”
Senior running back Matt Williams said Dutkovich brings an intense and aggressive signature the rest of the team feeds off.
“He brings physicality and energy to our defense in practice, which pushes our offense and defense to get better,” Williams said. “Our defense is still extremely young, but Cole is one of the main leaders.”
Neuqua went unbeaten in the DVC during the last full season in the fall 2019. The Wildcats are riding a 12-game conference winning streak, their last loss coming on Oct. 20, 2017.
They are hungry and excited.
“The energy right now is through the roof,” Mennecke said. “At practices, everybody competes and we get better each day.”
Neuqua wants to play a aggressive, up tempo and wide-open style on both sides of the ball.
“We were an extremely young team in the spring with multiple sophomores starting and a few juniors,” Williams said. “Now, the majority of our starters are experienced.
“We want to prove we are a state title contender.”
As the new defensive cornerstone, Dutkovich will take center stage.
He’s ready for the enhanced role — and everything it entails.
“I feel very good about the physical side of the position,” he said. “I want to get the mental part down, getting the reads right and filling the proper holes.
“Everybody on the defensive side loves to get after it.”
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Team: Neuqua Valley
Spring record: 4-0.
Offensive leaders: Grant Larkin, junior, WR; Mark Mennecke, junior, QB; Carter Sessa, senior, WR; Matt Williams, senior, RB.
Defensive leaders: Daniel Appel, senior, DL; Palmer Domschke, senior, S/K; Cole Dutkovich, junior, LB; Nicolas Lendino, junior, DB.
Playoff history: Fifteen appearances, including nine out of the last 10.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.