Naperville North’s Jake Brooks Shines in Varsity Football and Nature Adventures

When Naperville North junior linebacker Jake Brooks seeks relaxation, he turns to nature. ‘I love to go camping,’ he mentioned. ‘I spend a lot of time in nature.’ His preferred spot is Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness, located within Michigan’s Manistee National Forest. This area lies on Lake Michigan’s shore, north of Ludington and near Traverse City, where Brooks’ grandparents live. ‘Me and my friends go,’ Brooks explained. ‘My whole family is up there, so we’re a pretty big nature family.’

These outdoor trips don’t involve hunting. However, opposing players find it challenging to evade the 5-foot-11, 210-pound Brooks on the field. ‘The thing that Jake does is he attacks,’ Naperville North’s defensive coordinator Chris Arthurs said. ‘He sees people, and he’s flying to the ball.’

Brooks is having a standout season in his second varsity year for the Huskies (6-1, 4-0). The team has already secured a playoff spot and leads the DuPage Valley Conference. Coach Sean Drendel refers to Brooks and senior linebacker John Lyons as ‘our two-headed monster.’ Brooks has accumulated 31 tackles, including seven for losses, and a team-high four interceptions. He recovered his first fumble of the season against DeKalb recently, contributing to the Huskies’ 42-14 victory, extending their winning streak to six games, with an average of 9.8 points allowed per game.

‘He’s been making plays for us all year,’ Arthurs said of Brooks. ‘He had two interceptions against Barrington. He studies film, he practices hard, and those efforts lead to great results on Friday.’ Brooks ranks third on the team in tackles, following Lyons and senior defensive back Brady Marino. His success is not attributed to secrets. ‘It all starts with the offseason, right?’ Brooks said. ‘Me and John both had really good offseasons. We worked together and pushed the team. The defense is so effective because we focus on details in the offseason.’

The team’s defense exhibited remarkable precision against DeKalb, allowing only 123 yards during just under three quarters. ‘We knew this team was going to run,’ Brooks noted. ‘For homecoming — we aimed to come out hot. The first half wasn’t as strong, but we adjusted in the second half, executed better, and it paid off.’

The Huskies forced three turnovers during the game, including fumble recoveries by Brooks and Lyons. Lyons returned his recovery 30 yards for a touchdown. Naperville North’s Jake Brooks, right, follows the ball during a DuPage Valley Conference game against DeKalb in Naperville, illustrating his invaluable presence on the field.

Lyons expresses his enthusiasm for playing alongside Brooks, who also manages punting and kickoff duties. Brooks maintains a punting average of 36.3 yards, with 14 touchbacks out of his 33 kickoffs. ‘Jake’s an unbelievable athlete, and I truly believe he can play any position on the field,’ said Lyons. ‘Playing linebacker doesn’t even fully showcase his ability because he’s fast and athletic.’

Brooks has consistently shown prowess in tackling. ‘He plays linebacker like a running back,’ Lyons said. ‘He fills gaps effectively, which aids in stopping the run and making explosive plays. His power is exceptional, enabling him to tackle forcefully.’

Brooks’ aptitude for football does not come from a family tradition, unlike his affinity for nature. ‘My uncles were soccer players and wrestlers, but I’m the first in football,’ Brooks mentioned. ‘My dad weighed 140 pounds in high school. I was always bigger, and working out has been rewarding.’

Improvement in performance reflects on both Brooks and the team. ‘He’s aspiring to play college football,’ Arthurs said. ‘With his experience, size, and strength, he has the potential.’ Brooks’ dedication to football overrides previous interests in basketball and baseball, focusing all efforts here by the end of freshman year. ‘I love the game’s passion,’ he expressed. ‘The work you invest translates to results.’

What’s next for the Huskies this season? ‘We can make a significant run,’ Brooks predicted. ‘I don’t see why we couldn’t reach a state championship. Our attitude will get us there.’

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.