Andrean junior offensive tackle Ben is ready to take up the torch.
The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Wisconsin commit was looking ahead like leaders do after the 59ers’ Class 2A semistate game Friday night.
“It’s just bringing that positive energy and leading by example with hard work,” Novak said. “I know I’m going to be bringing some of the other linemen with me to my O-line training, and we’re going to work out together. It’s just building that homelike atmosphere, an atmosphere you want to work in.”
Novak was talking in the aftermath of Andrean’s 20-13 loss to Adams Central. Eye black still smeared on his face, Novak was wrestling with conflicting emotions.
“I’m definitely heartbroken,” he said. “I’m extremely close with these guys, and I’m going to miss them.
“But I’m fired up too. I’m looking forward to next year, to working really hard this offseason, because we want to be back here.”
Novak attributes his resilience to the example set by the senior class as the 59ers rebounded from a three-win season in 2023 with a deep playoff run.
“I felt it during our summer scrimmages,” he said. “There was a much different atmosphere. We were more focused, and we played as a team.”
Andrean (9-5) rallied as a team against Adams Central (13-1) after falling behind early. The 59ers were down 20-3 before scoring 10 points in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard touchdown catch by senior wide receiver Jimmy Finley, a Northern Illinois commit, and a 20-yard field goal by senior PJ Cusick.
Cusick’s field goal came with 1:21 left in the game. Adams Central, which is ranked No. 4 in 2A in both the media poll and the state coaches poll, then recovered Andrean’s onside kick and picked up a pair of first downs to run out the clock.
“We haven’t really thought much about the end, and now it’s all come crashing down here in the final minutes,” Andrean coach Chris Skinner said. “It’s hard to process. But it’s a very special group that’s come a long way. The leaders have embraced a lot of the younger guys, and they’ve all gotten close throughout the year.”
That was particularly true on offense, where injuries led to lineup shuffles at every position group. That included the offensive line; Novak missed three games with a partial tear of the MCL in his left knee.
Senior offensive lineman James Metro said his class was driven by the disappointment of a 3-7 season that ended in the first round of the postseason last year — Andrean’s earliest playoff exit since 2011.
“In the offseason, we talked about needing to be good leaders,” Metro said. “We’re not that big of a team, and injuries are always going to happen, so we have to lift them up. All season long, all we did was work those younger guys up, and now we get to pass the torch.”
Novak sounded like he was already carrying it after the season-ending loss.
“I’m not going to let this negativity engulf me,” he said. “I’m going to keep pushing forward.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
