Maurice Burkley makes a key distinction when comparing himself to Bryson Oliver, Metea Valley’s graduated All-State running back.
“Bryson, he was more of an elusive guy,” Burkley said. “I like to go through people.”
The headliners that boosted Metea to a 5-4 regular season and the program’s first playoff appearance — guys like Oliver, quarterback Kyle Mooney and wide receiver Nick Dodson — are gone.
It’s clear, though, that confidence has carried over to Burkley and others. They plan on carrying it into the DuPage Valley Conference.
“Now, we have the culture that we expect to win,” said Conner Lovely, the Mustangs’ senior quarterback. “We expect to win in the DVC.”
The bread and butter of that culture in coach Ben Kleinhans’ first three years at Metea meant hitching a wagon behind one featured running back.
The Mustangs did so with Cameron Wilcox, Jay Parker and with Oliver, the latter who set single-season program records for rushing yards (1,701) and touchdowns (18) as a senior.
This year is different. This year, think running back by committee.
Alonzo Taylor-Jones, Cayman Wilcox and Mitch Webb will all share carries with Burkley, who ran for 222 yards and two touchdowns behind Oliver last year.
Even with five new offensive linemen, Burkley’s faith is unflinching.
“Bryson is a great running back. He’s hard to replace,” Burkley said. “But with the talent we have, I believe we can either surpass his numbers or be as good.”
That head-on attitude fits the 190-pound Burkley, a self-proclaimed power back.
Burkley, who moved from Maywood his freshman year, said he always liked contact or “to hit people.” A middle linebacker defensively when he was younger, Burkley transitioned to defensive back when others around him grew bigger.
“Hitting people, it gave me a way to release my anger,” Burkley said. “Now I see it as part of the game. You give me a good shot at somebody, I’m going to get excited.”
While Metea will rotate running backs and receivers — Reggie Hill, Ben Loutsis, Jordan Cagigal, Jack Feeley, Brad Fekety and Alec Dodson are among those who should catch balls — it’s clear who the Mustangs’ quarterback is.
Lovely received zero meaningful snaps behind Mooney as a junior, but made his presence known in JV games and practice.
Voted one of four captains, Lovely fits the mold of a quarterback in control.
“From the first day of June, he’s taken ownership of this team,” Kleinhans said. “He’s run with it, and he’s performed well. He gets it.”
Four starters return on defense: defensive backs Amiri Finner (63 tackles), Hill and Burkley, along with linebacker Grady Raines. They are joined by linebacker John Mathison, who received playing time as a junior, and what Kleinhans projects to be a deep defensive line.
“We might not have those high-profile guys like we did last year,” Kleinhans said. “But our depth is better.”
In a recent practice ,Kleinhans addressed the outside noise surrounding his program, perceptions on how Metea will compete in the new league.
His message? Let’s show people that the Mustangs can play, and let others talk about them.
They’ll get a good opportunity early, opening Aug. 28 with rival Neuqua Valley.
“The one thing I learned from Bryson is he feared nobody. He was so little, but he didn’t care. It was always just competition to him,” Burkley said. “That’s the kind of attitude we need to take into this year.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.
Metea Valley
Last season: 5-5 (4-3 Upstate Eight Valley).
Playoffs: Lost 21-14 to Waubonsie Valley in Class 8A first round.
Coach: Ben Kleinhans, fourth year (11-17).
Players to watch: Conner Lovely, senior, quarterback; Maurice Burkley, senior, running back/defensive back; John Mathison, senior, linebacker; Grady Raines, senior, linebacker; Jordan Cagigal, senior, wide receiver/defensive back; Amiri Finner, senior, defensive back; Reggie Hill, senior, defensive back/wide receiver.
Schedule: (x-denotes DuPage Valley Conference game, all begin at 7:30). Aug. 28: x-Neuqua Valley; Sept. 4: x-Naperville North; Sept. 11: x-at Naperville Central; Sept. 18: x-at Wheaton North; Sept. 25: x-Waubonsie Valley; Oct. 2: x-Lake Park; Oct. 9: x-at Wheaton Warrenville South; Oct. 16: x-at Glenbard North; Oct. 23: West Aurora.
