Deathly silent.
That’s how Jaylen Lockhart remembers it.
Much was made about Sean Drendel deciding to move Naperville North back to the double wing offense from the spread offense he installed prior to taking over in 2010 from Larry McKeon.
Upon that news being announced to the team, it was welcomed with open arms after having some time to digest the news.
“When Coach (Drendel) first announced we were going to go back to that offense, everybody in the room jaws just dropped,” Lockhart said. “You could hear a pin drop in the room because everyone knows the history of Naperville North. Back in 2007 when they won the state championship, this was the offense they ran. They ran the double wing and we just know there’s so much history behind it. We just know if we execute the plays, they’re there.”
Despite a 0-6 start, a stretch where three losses have come by seven points or less, the return to the double wing has done wonders for the Huskies’ running game.
Through six games, Naperville North has averaged 189 yards on the ground – highlighted by the 268-yard average it posted after its first three games against Sandburg, Metea Valley and Wheaton North.
Not knowing until right before the season began about what role he’d have after not playing as a junior, Lockhart has taken full advantage of the opportunity to play as a senior.
“Playing this year was kind of a late decision,” he said. “I wasn’t really sure. I really don’t have much football experience, just here and there. But I knew that I need to help out my Huskies and I knew my teammates were working hard. I just wanted to be a part of something bigger than me.”
Thanks to three 100-yard games – including a 206-yard effort in a 29-28 loss at Metea Valley in Week 2, Lockhart has racked up 581 yards and three touchdowns on 94 carries.
The 581 yards on those 94 carries pencils out to an average of 6.2 yards per carry and signifies the heavy load he’s been asked to take on.
Lockhart’s team-high 94 carries are followed next by quarterback Dylan Fadden’s 28 carries and Matt Montgomery’s 23 carries.
Tom Rizzi, Chris Hall, Gabe Babecki, Evan Hecimovich, Nathan Gray, David Noble and Jack DiRienzo have all started games on the Huskies’ offensive line.
Lockhart said that’s where the credit for his success this year lies.
“I always believed in my teammates and I believed in my O-line,” he said, “and I credit them for much of the success that I’ve had because – without them – there would be no 200 rushing yard games, three 100 rushing yard games. Without my teammates, I wouldn’t have any of that.
“So I do credit them because I know we’ve put in a lot of hard work this offseason and really trying to get those blocks down. I just knew that we have a special group of guys up there blocking for me on the O-line and I knew that we’d come through with some pretty big plays here this season.”
His Naperville North athletic career has included playing football as a freshman and sophomore, getting JV baseball reps as a junior and also running track.
Three games, including Friday’s game with Naperville Central and next week’s game against Waubonsie Valley, remain in Lockhart’s one and final year as a varsity football player.
That fact alone established a sense of urgency right from the start and a mandate that every Friday night this fall would be a precious one.
“I can’t even put this into words – how motivated I was,” Lockhart said. “When we came into the season, not a lot of people even knew who I was. No one knew my name. It’s just grateful going from a zero to a household name. I just knew that I believed in my talents and I believed in my teammates. I just drove off the fact I’ve been through a lot of adversity in my life and in my high school career.
“I just used everything that I’ve learned and put it into retro perspective, just put all that built up emotion into my play. I do it for my teammates. I do it for those who have come before me and I’ll do it for those who come after me. I just really wanted to make an impact on this season and just let everyone know the Huskies are here. I just want everyone to know who my name is.”
Consider that mission accomplished.
