Mundelein junior Maddux Hermestroff figured he’d be playing linebacker this season.
That’s the position he played on the sophomore team last year. But senior Lucas Dickey, the Mustangs’ starting strong safety, suffered a torn ACL in July. So Hermestroff was tapped to replace him.
“There was a lot to learn and adjust to, especially the feeling of being that last line of defense,” he said. “It took a while to get used to, but now I’m definitely all-in on playing safety.”
It’s easy to see why. The position seems to suit Hermestroff. With his 6-foot, 180-pound frame, he has the quickness needed to flow in and out of coverages and has enough bulk to make ball carriers think twice.
“My favorite part is when I get to come screaming down to hit someone,” he said. “Once I know it’s a run, I plant my feet to get to my alley as fast as I can. I know I can fly to where I need to be.”
For the most part, Hermestroff has been where he’s supposed to be for the Mustangs (4-0, 2-0). That was one of the biggest obstacles he faced after switching positions. Hermestroff was used to being in an area of the field where keying on the run was a priority. He was particularly concerned about letting deep balls sneak behind him.
“But I haven’t let up any long ones yet,” he said. “It’s a great feeling when the secondary blankets receivers.”
Hermestroff made an interception in a win against Grayslake North on Sept. 1, and he has recovered two fumbles, including one in a 37-22 North Suburban Conference win against Waukegan on Sept. 14.
He leads the secondary with 24 tackles, including three for a loss, and has broken up four passes. Even more important, a position that looked like a question mark for the Mustangs after Dickey’s injury has remained a strength in Hermestroff’s hands.
“His statistics don’t reflect the impact he’s had within our secondary and the program,” Mundelein coach Vince DeFrancesco said. “Stepping up at safety after Lucas went down has been really important to our success.”
That success includes the Mustangs’ first 4-0 start since 2004, the same season they last qualified for the playoffs. Mundelein’s schedule gets tougher, however, with three straight conference matchups on the road, beginning with a game against Stevenson (2-2, 0-2) on Friday. Games against Warren (2-2, 2-0) and Libertyville (2-2, 0-2) will follow.
“We believe in this team 100%, and we have a great opportunity to keep winning,” Hermestroff said. “We’ve beaten the teams that we had to beat, but we can’t be satisfied.”
Dickey, who had surgery July 27, deserves some credit for Hermestroff’s success. Once Dickey was mobile enough, he embraced a role as a mentor and unofficial assistant. He began watching Hudl practice film and reaching out to Hermestroff to offer pointers.
Hermestroff said he has put those tips to use during games, including the best angles that safeties should take to approach ball carriers when coming from a distance. The technique is particularly pertinent on the perimeter.
“(Dickey) told me that if a ball carrier gets outside to attack his inside shoulder,” Hermestroff said. “Even if they have the outside edge, you can use the sideline as an extra defender and there’s no cutback lane.”
Among the other items Dickey wanted to address were Hermestroff’s alignment and responsibilities in coverage.
“He’s definitely stepped up big-time,” Dickey said. “He understands things quickly, and if he doesn’t get something, he does it right the next time. He really wants to get everything right.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
