Warren’s Mason Durst looks like he’s having a blast on the football field.
Reflecting that, the 5-foot-7, 175-pound senior safety is seemingly never far from the ball and darts into view in a manner that can’t be ignored.
But just a few months ago, he didn’t have that level of enthusiasm.
“Last year, I was a guy who didn’t get a lot of snaps and didn’t think football was really something that I loved to do,” Durst said. “I’m a big baseball guy, so I was thinking maybe I should just do that and maybe football’s not for me.
“This year, though, in the offseason, the coaches really got me right, and I realized I love this sport.”
Three games into Durst’s senior season, he is one of the acknowledged leaders on a defense that has lofty aspirations and the talent to back that up. With three tough tests marked off the calendar, Warren coach Bryan McNulty’s defensive unit could be peaking as the North Suburban Conference schedule progresses.
“Those first games, coach says they’re like scrimmages,” Durst said. “These are our games now, the ones we play to win. We’re trying to take over the North Suburban.”
Durst and the Blue Devils (2-1, 1-0) are one game into making that goal a reality after their workmanlike 22-6 win over Lake Forest in Gurnee on Friday.
The outcome wasn’t in doubt at any point as all-state running back Aaron Stewart, an Illinois recruit, rushed for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries and the Durst-led defense didn’t give an inch to the Scouts (1-2, 0-1).
Lake Forest’s only scoring drive late in the game was aided by three 15-yard penalties against the Blue Devils, who had allowed 36 points to Hersey in Week 1 and 42 points to Maine South in Week 2.
“The first two weeks, we gave up a lot of points, and we came out tonight with a chip on our shoulder,” Durst said. “We weren’t going to let that happen anymore. This program has a standard, and we weren’t going to allow points, and we came out with the mentality.”
Durst, who got a lot stronger in the offseason, came out with physicality too.
“He’s a great story because after not playing a lot last year, he bought into our culture during the offseason and did everything right,” McNulty said. “He’s kind of like the barometer of our defense. He sets everything, he’s smart and he rallies people. The kids really respond to him.
“We’ve got some really good players on the defense, but he’s right up there with the best of them.”
Durst is one of several Warren defenders who demand attention from opponents. They include senior defensive end Cayden Janczewski, who appreciates Durst’s passion.
“He definitely sets the tone for our defense and hypes us up,” Janczewski said. “He just likes to hit people, and once one guy sets the tone on our defense, we all gather around that and all play angry.”
Janczewski will get no argument from Durst on that front. Durst chuckled, with a gauze bandage in his left nostril, as he recounted his one tangible physical setback of the game.
“On that late screen pass they threw, I think I got kicked in the nose, or it might have been a hand,” he said. “I’m a different person when I’m out here. You don’t want to hurt other people, but you want to let them know who you are.”
Durst is a player having the time of his life. He’s also showing his leadership ability.
“I’ve always found myself as someone who can speak up in crowds,” he said. “I wanted to come out here one more time with the guys and lead them. I’ve found my love for football again, and being out here is the best thing you can do. It’s beautiful. These are the things you talk about when you’re older.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.