Naperville Central senior Jake Stanish loves playing defense.
That comes down to one simple reason.
“Just that I get to constantly hit people,” Stanish said. “That’s awesome.”
Well, the opponents he hits probably don’t agree that’s awesome, but Stanish’s teammates love to see the 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end do his thing.
“Jake is everything to our defense,” Naperville Central senior safety Gavin Wade said. “He brings all the energy, and whenever a big play needs to be happening, it’s Jake Stanish making the play.”
Stanish is making big plays with regularity this season. The Buffalo commit had several more, including his first career touchdown on a nifty scoop-and-score, during the unbeaten Redhawks’ 31-21 road win against Lockport last week.
Stanish recovered a loose ball at Lockport’s 12-yard line and quickly raced into the end zone. It was a memorable moment for a player who rarely touches the football.
“I just needed to jump on it because (last) year, I took the ball from (teammate) Jason Figg, and it was funny because I kept bobbling it,” Stanish said. “But this time I just really needed to get that ball and go. I was very careful.
“I still don’t believe I scored. It was a very electric moment.”
Stanish’s touchdown was one of the few things that went right in the first quarter for the Redhawks (6-0), who trailed 14-7. But they eventually righted the ship as Stanish’s play helped sink the Porters.
Lockport is led by elusive junior quarterback Brendan Mecher, who threw for 321 yards but spent most of the second half trying to scramble out of danger. He rushed 19 times for 25 yards. Most were not designed running plays but instead were the result of pressure brought by Stanish, senior linebacker Daniel Nussbaum and Figg, a senior nose guard, among others.
“He was a very good player,” Stanish said of Mecher. “I wasn’t doing my job at first. I kept going inside, but my coaches kept correcting me, and I finally listened and stayed outside.”
Stanish chased the 6-0, 175-pound Mecher all over the field. Twice, Stanish raced from one side of the line of scrimmage and caught Mecher from behind on the other sideline. Both plays were crucial stops in the red zone that helped end fourth-quarter drives.
“We’ve never had a defensive lineman like him that can move like he does,” Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich said. “It’s incredible.”
Stanish said he was last timed in the 40-yard dash more than a year ago. It was 4.7 seconds then but is probably lower now.
Even speedy teammates like senior wide receiver DeShaun Williams, an Indiana State commit, sometimes find themselves in Stanish’s sights in practice. Does Stanish chase Williams?
“No, unless we have a screen play,” Williams said. “He’s not allowed to, but he still does it.”
Stanish, of course, is not allowed to hit the Redhawks’ offensive skill position players during scrimmages. Opponents are not as fortunate.
“Bull rush is my specialty,” Stanish said. “I think pass rush first, but then also hitting the O-line in the mouth on the run.”
While Stanish has been doing a lot of both for two seasons, it is only this season that the spotlight has shone brightly on him. He was overshadowed last year by pass rushers Maverick Ohle and Christian Kuta, who have graduated.
Stanish has 23 tackles, including six for loss and nine sacks, with two fumble recoveries and a blocked kick.
“He’s just starting to build a lot of confidence in himself, and it’s paid off for him,” Ulreich said. “And he’s a phenomenal kid too. He’s super nice and humble and all those things.”
Stanish credits his teammates for his love for the game.
“These kids are literally my brothers,” he said. “I couldn’t see myself playing with anyone else, so that motivates me a lot to play harder, play stronger, play for these guys.”
Stanish won’t be playing for the Redhawks beyond this season, of course. But his playing days are far from over.
“Buffalo is really, really lucky,” Ulreich said. “He’s an unbelievable kid.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
