It was a discussion that Batavia sophomore safety Luke Gardner never expected but now one that the Bulldogs needed more than they even knew at that time.
Last year as a freshman, Gardner was a receiver promoted to play on the scout team as Batavia reached the Class 7A state championship game.
In the offseason, Gardner figured he would be on the sophomore team this fall, seeing that the Bulldogs were loaded at receiver. But Batavia defensive coordinator Matt Holm had other ideas.
“I remember it like it was yesterday,” Gardner said. “I was in the weight room working out with my buddies. He came up to me, and I had never really talked to him before.
“He asked if I could play safety. I was like, ‘I can do it.’ I just want to play.”
Gardner was willing to give it a shot and, boy, are the Bulldogs glad he did.
The 6-foot, 175-pound Gardner has become an integral part of the defense for Batavia (10-2), which travels to St. Rita (8-4) at 2 p.m. Saturday for a state semifinal game in Chicago.
As the strong safety, Gardner leads the Bulldogs with 86 tackles, picking up his production even more as the playoffs have gone on. He has 27 tackles the past two weeks alone.
“I think we were looking at areas of need because we graduated some pretty good safeties,” Batavia coach Dennis Piron said of the process of tabbing Gardner for that role. “With his movement skills, speed and tackling, we thought it was a good spot for him.
“He really stuck out over the summer and stuck to it, worked very hard.”
It didn’t always come easily, however.
“At first in the summer, it was really hard because as a safety, you have to read and keep your eyes right and make sure you’re reading the receivers,” Gardner said. “It took me a long time to understand route combinations and also tackling.”
It led to a memorable moment with defensive backs coach Billy Colamatteo during summer camp.
Colamatteo challenged Gardner to get tough and want to tackle. He received that opportunity against Preston Brummel, Batavia’s bowling ball of a fullback, coming full speed toward him.
“Preston hit the hole,” Gardner said. “That was my first time really laying it down, and since then, I kind of enjoy hitting.”
Holm couldn’t have been happier with the move.
“We were going around the room talking about the growth that everyone has had this season,” Holm said of Gardner. “He’s one of the ones that really stand out.
“He’s out of position. He’s never played safety before. He’s a good tackler, smart, and he’s done a fantastic job.”
The Bulldogs utilize their strong safety in the box often, which has suited Gardner quite well.
“People don’t usually like defensive backs to have a lot of tackles, but the way our defense plays, our safeties have a lot of tackles,” Holm said. “You have to be able to recognize pass-run quickly and fill your assignments against the run.
“He’s become a very sure tackler. He’s done a great job for us.”
This is technically Gardner’s first playoff run on varsity as well. He was along for the ride in a reserve role last season, but being in the mix has been a whole different feeling.
“It’s definitely been very emotional,” Gardner said. “I didn’t experience the true feelings of the games. Now that I’ve experienced it, I realize how much has to go right for you to win.”
He’s not just experiencing it. He’s going to have to be a big part of slowing down an explosive St. Rita team with a repeat trip to state on the line for Batavia.
“I’ve been getting a lot more confident in my play,” Gardner said. “I know what’s happening. We’ve come a long way and we’ve progressed as a group, so I’m really happy about that.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
