Where in the world is Cale Reeder?
The 6-foot, 170-pound junior may not stand out in Yorkville’s defensive huddle, but once the play starts, he’s hard to miss. Just follow the ball, according to Foxes coach Dan McGuire.
Reeder is listed as a middle linebacker/safety on the team’s roster.
“It depends on the scheme we’re running that week,” Reeder said. “If we need help in the box, I’ll go down there and play. If we need help with (defending) the pass, I’ll drop back at safety and play over the top.
“My speed helps me avoid blockers and get in the way of running backs. Anything the team needs.”
It shows. The returning all-conference selection leads the Foxes in tackles with 47, including 32 solo.
He’s also getting recruiting interest, and has made visits to Iowa State and Ball State.
“I’ve never seen a kid that’s closed on the ball as well as he does,” McGuire said. “It’s just instantaneous. He’s just got a nose for the ball.”
And he doesn’t back down.
“He’s been nicked up and you wouldn’t know it,” McGuire said of Reeder. “This week is probably the healthiest he’s been all year.”
It’s good timing, too, since a Northern Illinois Big 12 East showdown awaits host Yorkville (5-1, 1-1) at 7:15 p.m. Friday against league leader Kaneland (5-1, 2-0).
“This is a game that may decide if we’re conference champs or not,” Reeder said. “Everyone has to bring their ‘A’ game.”
The conference finale the following week at DeKalb (5-1, 2-1) could be equally important, but first things first.
“In years past, they’ve been real pass heavy, as much as 75-80 percent,” McGuire said of Kaneland. “This year, they’re almost 50-50.
“They have a really talented back in (Jonathan) Alstott, and their quarterback (Joe Smith) is good. He lit us up last year. Their starter got hurt before they played us, and it was like a coming-out party for Smith.
“They’re multidimensional, and defensively, they’re really, really stout up front.”
Go big or go home: West Aurora’s offense put up a school-record 613 yards last week in a 57-13 win over Glenbard South.
And the Blackhawks did it without leading running back Hezekiah Salter, who was sidelined after spraining his knee the previous week against Bartlett.
Junior quarterback Will Tammaru passed for a personal-record 287 yards and West Aurora rushed for 326 yards. JaQuan Buchanan led the way, running for 154 yards and four TDs.
“Defensively, we’re playing well, too,” Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer said.
Five of West Aurora’s six opponents have been held to under 60 yards rushing.
Salter should be ready to return this week and offensive linemen Dylan Whisenant and Tyler Aikens also should be back to 100 percent.
“Having Dylan and Tyler both back at full strength will help our ground game, especially our two tight-end set,” Eimer said.
Rivalry games: Meaningful Southwest Prairie and Interstate Eight Large games take place at 7 p.m. Friday when Oswego (6-0, 6-0) travels across town to Oswego East (6-0, 6-0) in a battle for first place and Sandwich (3-3, 1-2) comes to Plano (3-3, 2-1) with second place at stake.
Oswego East, which has five shutouts and has allowed just one TD all season, will be trying to win for the first time in 14 tries against Oswego.
“They’re obviously the most dangerous offense we’ve faced,” Oswego East coach Tyson LeBlanc said. “It’s a big test for our defense.
“Having never beaten them, we better do something different. Even so, you try not to put too much pressure on it, because it’s still the next game on the schedule.”
In the annual Battle of Route 34, Plano and Sandwich are both looking to gain playoff eligibility with the season winding down.
