Huntley's heavy lifter

Jordan Neukirch of Huntley is the 2008 Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year. (Travis Haughton photo)

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In football terms, Jordan Neukirch formed a sound game plan, then executed it to perfection.

Neukirch trained hard in the spring months to get faster and stronger. He toured 10 one-day camps at NCAA Division I schools to gain exposure, secured two scholarship offers, then committed to Illinois State before the season.

And the Huntley senior was only getting warmed up.

Once the season started, Neukirch and the Red Raiders were almost unstoppable. They started 8-0, made the playoffs for the second time in school history, and almost advanced to the IHSA Class 6A playoff quarterfinals.

Neukirch led the area in rushing, made an impact on defense and made the selection of Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year one of the easiest ever. He was picked by the sports staff with input from area coaches, almost all of whom listed Neukirch as their top choice.

“I’m real excited about the way things went,” said Neukirch, who helped Huntley improve from 4-5 to 9-2. “I’m glad everything paid off for me.”

Neukirch had enrolled at Marian Central in Woodstock this past spring, but his family had a change of heart and he stayed at Huntley. The Hurricanes lost quarterback Jon Budmayr in the first quarter of the season opener and finished 4-5, just missing the playoffs.

Huntley went on to its second-best season in 35 years of football.

“I’m glad I got to go out with a bang and with the guys I’ve played with my whole life,” Neukirch said. “It’s sad to end, but I’m glad I spent it with these guys.”

Neukirch (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) rushed for 1,725 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 8.6 yards a carry. He also led the Raiders with 20 catches for 275 yards and three touchdowns and played almost every down on offense and defense.

“It was a good feeling [when he stayed],” Huntley guard Jason Adams said. “No one wanted him to go. Everyone liked him a lot. We were relieved and happy. He’s always positive and always pumps us up in games and keeps us from getting down.”

Neukirch credited his offensive line of Adams, J.J. McDougall, Kyle Hartline, Michael Zermeno, Kevin Doran and Marcus Popenfoose, and also his trainer, Rocky Scalise, at Going Vertical in Huntley.

“Going to him was the best thing I’ve ever done to get ready for a season,” Neukirch said. “The speed training helped incredibly. I recommend it for any person in any person in any sport. It’s definitely worth it.”

Neukirch’s training benefited him at the one-day camps in June and July, as well as through the season. He seemed to get stronger while defenses grew weary of tackling him.

“Last year he came off the field on offense when he needed a break,” Huntley coach Steve Graves said. “He never pulled himself out of a game. That spring and summer preparation he did really helped him toward the season.

“He really devoted himself to football between his junior and senior year. It’s difficult to put on that strength and bulk you need.”

Neukirch was the focal point of the offense, but also opened other avenues for his teammates.

“He was our featured player, and he couldn’t have done it without a good offensive line,” Graves said. “The things he created for other people you have trouble measuring. We got a lot of yardage off misdirection because of Jordan’s presence on the field.”

Huntley tied with Prairie Ridge for the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division championship. The Raiders defeated Batavia, 70-63, in the highest-scoring playoff game in IHSA history, then lost their second-round game to Grant, 28-24.

“That loss was disappointing, but after reflecting a while we saw how great a season we had,” Neukirch said. “We exceeded expectations and realize it was a special season.”

Graves appreciates that Neukirch, a three-year starter both ways, was special too.

“Usually, kids that are extremely competitive can have a downside and not be liked by some people,” Graves said. “One thing that I always told colleges looking at him was that Jordan is such a great gentleman off the field too.”