Neuqua Valley safety Matt Chevalier had a long time to ponder what he missed.
He suffered a broken collarbone playing rugby in spring 2021, an injury that forced him to miss his entire junior season.
“Even though I was still there on the sidelines, helping them out in practice, I realized getting back out, stepping out on the field and playing the game is what I missed the most,” he said.
Back on the field this season, the 5-foot-9, 160-pound Chevalier is a crucial reason the Wildcats defense has been so successful. While winning the DuPage Valley Conference title for the second time in the past three full seasons, Neuqua Valley (7-2, 4-1) posted two shutouts and allowed just 8.6 points per game.
Chevalier has 36 tackles and nine pass breakups for the 17th-seeded Wildcats, who will play at 16th-seeded Lane Tech (7-2) in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs at 6 p.m. Friday.
“Matt is probably the most versatile player we have,” coach Bill Ellinghaus said. “He played corner, strong safety, running back and receiver for us. He has a very high football IQ.”
Chevalier threw a touchdown pass on an option play and ran for a touchdown in a 29-16 DVC win against Naperville North on Sept. 16, but his roles on offense have been more situational.
Defensively, he has been a cornerstone.
“I play smart football and really pay attention to the details,” he said. “As a safety, you have to watch everything. You have to see the run game, and you have to read the offensive line.”
Teams have rarely tested Chevalier. It was not a pretty picture when they did.
“The one-on-one coverage is the most important part of playing safety,” he said. “When the ball is in the air, it’s just you and the receiver, and that’s what it comes down to.”
Chevalier’s teammates were eager to have him back in the fold this season.
“I have really enjoyed playing alongside such a great competitor and hard worker,” senior Grant Larkin said. “He is always one of the first guys there to congratulate you or pick you up after a play. He has been a great leader.”
Senior defensive end Gabe Willis has a special connection with Chevalier.
“I love the way he plays and how he commits himself to the team, and he does whatever the coach wants from him,” Willis said. “Whatever he does, he does it very well.”
Chevalier introduced Willis and a couple of other teammates to rugby as a way to develop their football skills. Neuqua Valley has a club program that co-ops with district rivals Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley.
Despite his injury, Chevalier sees clear benefits.
“In rugby you have to read each defender,” he said. “Carrying that over to football, tackling, staying low, and it has also helped my technique and also visual awareness.”
Chevalier followed the path of his older brothers Nick and Will. Nick Chevalier played rugby at Western Michigan. Will Chevalier plays rugby at Indiana.
Rugby is Matt Chevalier’s future. He has taken official visits to Illinois and Western Michigan.
For now, his focus turns to the state playoffs.
“We all play as a team, and we trust each other,” Chevalier said. “We all talked about how good we are going to be when we are seniors.
“We have definitely shown what this team is capable of doing. We are excited to take this last journey together.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
