When Homewood-Flossmoor’s Cameron Brooks committed to Illinois in June, it was the realization of a lifetime dream.
But Brooks, a senior defensive lineman, isn’t satisfied. He’s determined to keep getting better while ignoring his own hype.
“I just try to remain humble,” Brooks said. “I know I have a lot of guys around me that are talented other than myself. I know I’m a good player, but I still have a lot to work on.
“It’s just the little things. Hustling to the ball all the time. Being quicker, being stronger. Those are all ways I can improve, but I’m proud of the progress that I’m making and that my team is making.”
Brooks and his teammates are off to a strong start. He came up with two sacks Saturday afternoon as the visiting Vikings rolled to a 35-0 win over Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights.
Jarve Bey also had two sacks and Myles Green added an interception as H-F (2-0) held the Spartans to 157 yards.
RJ McDonald completed 15 of 27 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns. Jayden Banks finished with five catches for 109 yards and two TDs, while Myles Ellis pulled in five catches for 146 yards and a TD.
Joey Baranski completed 10 of 14 passes for 90 yards and Zach Coleman came up with an interception for Marian Catholic (1-1).
The Spartans had trouble getting anything going as Brooks and the entire H-F defensive line spent most of the day swarming the backfield.
“I think we’re really together,” Brooks said. “We’re a tight-knit group. I think it really shows on the field with the way we tackle, the way we pursue to the ball. We’re a brotherhood.
“That has to be our calling card throughout the year.”
H-F started slowly as the first quarter ended scoreless, but McDonald and Banks connected on a 55-yard TD pass in the second quarter and a 17-yard scoring strike in the third.
“It was just having faith in each other, believing in each other, staying together as a team,” Banks said. “After halftime, just picking it up.”
Banks said H-F’s offense has been duly impressed by its defense in the first two weeks, including a 56-6 rout of Bolingbrook in the opener.
Of course, Brooks stands out.
“Cameron’s a dog, man,” Banks said. “I love watching him play. I grew up with him, and I’ve seen him grow as a person and a player.”
For Brooks, the goal is to keep growing. In his mind, nothing has changed now that he’s committed to Illinois.
“It’s not about me,” he said. “It’s about my team, staying selfless and humble. I don’t really carry myself a different way because I’m going to a school for football.”
H-F coach Terrell Alexander certainly appreciates that attitude.
“He’s a good leader,” Alexander said of Brooks. “He does a good job from that standpoint.”
Brooks said he started to believe he could play major college football when he was in junior high. But he didn’t know what position he would be playing.
“I was always pretty decent at football, but I didn’t play on the defensive line when I was younger,” Brooks said. “But my sophomore year, I started getting some reps at D-line, and by my junior year, I started getting better at it.
“Then It was just finding the details in it and getting better at the little things.”
With his college decision out of the way, Brooks is ready to give his all to leading the Vikings to a big season.
“It’s a big weight off my shoulders,” Brooks said of the commitment. “I’m just glad I can focus on high school football and not worry about all that right now. I can put all my focus on my team and my senior year and not try to juggle two things at once.
“I’m just really excited about this season and what we can do as a team.”
