Lifka makes North strong at linebacker
North's Lifka returns to anchor part of defense that's consistently strong
Nick Lifka, a 6-foot-2-inch, 240-pound Mike linebacker, fits the profile.
He set the baseline for performance last year, when he led 10-1 Naperville North in tackles and became the only sophomore among the 97 listed on the all-DuPage Valley Conference list.
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NAPERVILLE NORTH
2008 record: 10-1
Coach: Larry McKeon
SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 at Neuqua Valley 7:30 p.m
Sept. 4 St. Charles East 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Glenbard North* 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 West Aurora* 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 WW South* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 Naperville Central*# 7:30 p.m
Oct. 9 at Glenbard East* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 Wheaton North* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 West Chicago* 7:30 p.m.
* DuPage Valley Conference game
# at North Central College
Before his junior season, Lifka would unofficially visit UCLA and attend camps at places like Ohio State and Notre Dame, where two of his uncles once played. Eastern Illinois has already made a scholarship offer -- the earliest that has happened in North's history, according to coach Larry McKeon, who is entering his 27th season. But focus is not a problem for Lifka, who at age 16 has already lived in seven states. He's relocated about 10 times, because of his father Wells' old job in marketing and sales with Ford Motor Co.
Wells took a buyout, accepted an offer from a consulting firm, and the family eventually settled in Naperville before Lifka's freshman year.
The Huskies have built a tradition at linebacker. McKeon's son Corey went on to play the position for Nebraska and its famous Blackshirts. Georgia Tech redshirt junior defensive end/linebacker Osahon Tongo also came out of the North program.
"The thing that really excites you is when you see how fast (Lifka) is," McKeon said. "You think: 'Here's a kid that's young. He's big, he's gonna be slow. He doesn't react well.' That's not how he is. He's a big, fast kid with a great instinct, a great nose for the football.
"He's one-of-a-kind. You get a few good linebackers over the years, but usually they're a little undersized or a little thin, not quite tall enough. But he has the whole package."
Lifka will be flanked on the outside by returning senior starters Jack Krejci (6-1, 215) and Arnas Gintautas (6-2, 220). That core of linebackers is a major reason why the Huskies should make the playoffs for the 23rd time in 24 seasons and contend for another DVC crown.
Offensively, North will have to rebuild almost its entire offensive line outside of Dan Easley. That unit cleared the way for nearly 3,000 yards rushing last year. Senior wide receiver James O'Shaughnessy -- a 6'4" target for junior quarterback Matt LaCosse -- essentially represents the only skill-position starter back this season.
Even so, the Chicago Sun-Times still ranked North at No. 7 in its preseason poll. At the end of workouts, the Huskies will keep chanting "State champs!" Same as it ever was.
"We're all pretty excited. We think that we're gonna be a great team. I believe we definitely do have a shot," Lifka said. "We break huddle like that, (because if) you don't believe that you're gonna be a state champ, and you don't practice like you're gonna be a state champ, you're not gonna be a state champ. So we try to keep that image in our head."
That answer sounds like it came from someone stepping into more of a leadership role. Lifka, who is also a standout lacrosse player, doesn't expect the recruiting process to be a distraction.
"I don't think I'm going to have to worry about that until after this season or maybe even beyond," Lifka said. "If I have to start making decisions, then I'll start thinking about it. But I don't think I'm going to have to do that for a while."
