Naperville Central senior Matthew Guerin is a linebacker by trade.
That’s the position Guerin played during his freshman and sophomore seasons. But he didn’t see much action there during his first varsity season last year, spending most of the time at fullback as the Redhawks reached the Class 8A state semifinals.
“He could have played linebacker as a junior, but we just had a bunch of seniors that were there, and Matt was so valuable to our run game and blocking,” Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich said. “So we just got into a rhythm where he was such a big part of our offense.”
But after nine defensive players graduated, it was clear Guerin would be moving back to linebacker.
“We knew we needed to replace not only linebackers but replace experience and leadership,” Ulreich said. “Matt’s got great instincts there too.”
The 6-foot, 210-pound Guerin was ready and able to resume his hard hitting. Wherever the ball happens to be, he’s usually nearby and is one of the Redhawks’ leading tacklers.
“I obviously love it,” Guerin said. “I’m able to make a play every single play instead of just rotating in.
“I love flying around with my boys on defense. It’s a great experience, for sure.”
Senior Paul Peradotti is one of two returning starters on defense. He has been playing defensive end and linebacker and said Guerin has improved tremendously since the start of the season.
“He played linebacker his freshman and sophomore years, so to me, it’s like he’s been playing it for four years,” Peradotti said. “This year was an adjustment for him, but I feel like he accepted the role and played his heart out.
“He came right in, and he made some mistakes, but he learned fast, and he’s a baller.”
Guerin didn’t forget his roots while he was playing offense last season, and he had plenty of role models who prepared him for playing defense on the varsity team.
“Daniel Nussbaum, Nate Czachor and Aaron Nussbaum are some of the best in the business, and they passed on some of the stuff they know,” Guerin said. “It’s just been great from there.”
The Redhawks, who lost 29-10 to visiting Homewood-Flossmoor in a Southwest Valley Blue game at Memorial Stadium on Friday night, haven’t gotten great results this season. But it hasn’t been for a lack of effort from the defensive unit, which is often on the field for long stretches.
“I think my strength personally is we just keep swinging as a defense, and not even just me,” Guerin said. “We get put in some bad situations, and we just fight through it no matter what. Our team is known for our defense.”
Guerin is known for his competitive drive and his willingness to do whatever it takes to make a play for Naperville Central (2-6, 2-4).
“Here’s the thing with Matt,” Ulreich said. “If you want to see how much it matters to him, put on the film and watch him run to the ball. Last week, he made some huge plays with the game on the line, and against Lockport he made some big plays in overtime.”
Guerin was particularly stellar during the Redhawks’ 28-21 overtime win over Metea Valley on Oct. 10.
“Matt made two big plays on fourth down in that game,” Ulreich said. “We turned the ball over on two consecutive plays in the first quarter. They were driving to make it a 14-0 game.
“They ran this kind of swinging gate formation, and we weren’t really lined up great to it. Matt just chased the play down and made a play that probably shouldn’t have been made. He just hustled his butt off.”
Guerin, who also had his first interception against Metea Valley, hustles all the time.
“We are never going to question his effort and commitment,” Ulreich said. “You pop on the film and watch him run around and stick people.
“He’s got a great feel for it. He’s athletic, and he’s a big, stout kid. He cares, and he’s giving us everything he’s got right now.”
While he hasn’t decided whether he will try to play football in college, Guerin knows he has one last opportunity to strap on the pads for the Redhawks. They will end the season against crosstown rival Naperville North at North Central College on Friday.
“Obviously, we don’t have playoffs, but this is our playoffs,” Guerin said. “Our team knows that we have tradition. We honor that. Everything comes down to this game, and our team is very prepared. We’re going to be ready.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.