Providence’s Dominic Vita represents the eternal debate about whether football players — and even more so, leaders — are ultimately born or made.
The sophomore quarterback began studying the position at age 5, and then over the subsequent years, piled up a string of accomplishments on the youth level.
“Once I started going to quarterback camps, that’s when I knew I really loved the position,” Vita said, looking back at his development. “Playing in those national tournaments helped a lot.
“We faced a lot of really good talent. That prepared me for the speed and size of high school.”
Vita helped the host Celtics take down a high school juggernaut Friday night, throwing a touchdown pass in a 21-20 victory over three-time defending Class 8A state champion Loyola.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Vita possesses prototypical size, an excellent arm and natural toughness. He’s completed 70% of his passes for 950 yards and six TDs this season for Providence (5-2).
On top of that, Vita has rushed for 395 yards and four TDs while averaging 6.8 yards a carry for the Celtics, who visit Marian Catholic (2-5) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a nonconference game.
In middle school, Vita was the quarterback for the Mokena-based Jr. Celtics, a youth program that won back-to-back Pop Warner national championships. Mount Carmel wide receiver Marshaun Thornton and Brother Rice edge rusher Kameron McGee were teammates with Vita.
While Thornton and McGee are two of the country’s top sophomores, other talented players on that Jr. Celtics team are now with Vita at Providence, including receiver DeAngelo Coates and defensive back Anthony Carter. Coates caught the 8-yard TD pass against Loyola on a slant.
Coates couldn’t say enough good things about Vita.
“Even as an underclassman, Dom is a great leader,” Coates said. “He gained a lot of respect from the older players on the team, but he can also deliver perfect passes under pressure.
“He can do it on the run or in the pocket. He’s very versatile. He can run the ball very effectively and pass it even better. He also reads the defenses really well.”
Carter goes up against Vita every day in practice.
“I think what makes him elite is his comfortability in the pocket and his ability to extend plays,” Carter said. “He’s lethal when running or putting the ball in the air.
“He has great connections with every receiver on the team.”
A precocious talent, Vita doesn’t even turn 16 until the spring.
“I’m definitely getting more comfortable now,” Vita said. “The game’s slowing down for me. We had a really good week of practice before that big win.
“Even some kids at our own school were doubting us, so it felt great to prove ourselves.”
The game is also deeply personal.
His father, Mike, was his coach with the Jr. Celtics. His older brother, Anthony, a baseball standout at Lincoln-Way West, is now a freshman playing at NCAA Division II powerhouse Drury.
“Winning the national championship in eighth grade meant a lot to my family,” Dominic said. “My brother was on the coaching staff. We were very competitive growing up, but he’s my best friend.
“I have a lot of confidence, but I’d also say I’m very humble. He helped teach me there’s always work to do.”
Vita is already on the radar of Power Four programs, having attended the spring game at Michigan plus game-day visits to Purdue and TCU. He’ll make his next stop Saturday at Northwestern.
But at the same time, it’s all about Providence.
“I’d say I’m good with getting everyone together and playing as a team and having everyone on the same page,” Vita said. “My favorite part of playing quarterback is seeing the team drive down the field, making big plays and feeling that energy build.
“It’s the best feeling when we’re all clicking together.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.