Nolan Seeger is a realist who is excited at the thrill of possibility.
Having a chance to play against elite programs such as Stevenson, Libertyville and Lake Zurich, who have won or recently competed for state championships, reinforces the standard the Mustangs are eager to reach.
Mundelein has never won a state playoff game and has only qualified twice, in 2002 and 2004.
Seeger, a junior defensive end, viewed the game against a high-powered Stevenson offense on Friday, Sept. 16, as a supreme challenge. The Patriots came in averaging 34 points per game.
“I think it is fun to go out there and compete against guys that you know are going to playoffs every year,” Seeger said. “The competition is great, and it is fun to battle every play, every snap to see where you are.”
An overflow crowd in Mundelein saw up close the versatility of the Patriots’ attack as Stevenson scored six first-half touchdowns in beating the Mustangs 48-6 in North Suburban play.
Mundelein (1-3, 0-2) entered the game at a disadvantage with middle linebacker Lucas Zepeda still recovering from a shoulder sprain. The absence of Zepeda only magnified the need for Seeger, a 6-foot-2, 245-pound lineman, to try and slow down Stevenson quarterback Aidan O’Connell.
Seeger’s task was a difficult one. He had to try to harass the quarterback and force him to make uncomfortable throws. A natural run stopper with his bulk, Seeger excels at leveraging his weight into a strong push the second the ball is snapped.
“We had to know that we could not let him escape the pocket and throw the ball,” Seeger said. “Forget the score, I think overall our defense a good job on (O’Connell). I think the defensive line kept good pressure on him and did not let him stay too long in the pocket.”
This is Seeger’s second year as a starter and his second playing in this particular defensive scheme. Pressuring the quarterback or stopping the run is his first concern, though Mundelein coach Larry Calhoun also noted the benefits of his on-field temperament.
“What makes him a good player is that he is a fighter,” Calhoun said. “There were times when he’d sometimes let his emotions get the best of him, but he has reined that in. He’s a good kid who loves to compete.”
Mundelein struggled offensively, starting with an interception on its first possession. The Mustangs managed 160 yards of total offense and did not allow the defense much time to rest.
Stevenson showed the Mustangs how far they must come in order to compete at the high level of their North Suburban counterparts. Mundelein travels to Waukegan on Saturday, Sept. 24, in search of its first conference win.
“It’s hard to stop other teams when our defense is not working together like we should,” Seeger said. “I think we need to work as a team, talking every single play and just work as a team.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @pzready
