Skylar O’Neill is a fast learner with a brand-new perspective for Reavis.
The senior free safety, a converted linebacker, loves being able to scope out the entire field.
”I’ve had to make some adjustments,” O’Neill said of the position switcheroo. “As a linebacker, your first step is always forward, and at safety, you’re the deepest guy on the field.
“I saw their quarterback throw that 3-yard out and I went for the ball. When it popped out, I just made a play.”
Big plays, at that. O’Neill returned an interception for a touchdown and also blocked two punts Saturday afternoon for the host Rams in a 41-12 South Suburban Red victory over Argo.
Senior defensive back Nicholas Pryor and senior linebacker Jacob Gustafson each scored TDs off blocked punts for Reavis (3-1, 1-1).
Sophomore running back Skylar Arellano-Phipps scored on two short TD runs for Argo (0-4, 0-2), both set up by interceptions from Joseph Alleruzzo and Sebastian Krzanowski.
Senior running back Parker Zasada added a TD catch and a TD run created from O’Neill’s blocked punts for the Rams, who ended up blocking four punts by the Argonauts.
”We had them rattled for sure,” O’Neill said. “They had a kind of rugby-style kicker. We noticed it the week before while practicing that he rolls out right and kicks it.
“We flipped our whole defense to go against that and it worked.”
O’Neill said one of the benefits of being a safety is watching his closest friends make plays.
Pryor, who scored the opening TD off a blocked punt by senior defensive lineman Messiah Lugo, returned the praise.
“I’ve been playing with Skylar for 12 years and I know to always look for him because he has great athleticism,” Pryor said of O’Neill. “He’s definitely a leader.
“Whenever we’re in the locker room before the game, he makes sure everybody is ready, focused and dialed in.”
Gustafson, who blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone for his TD, agreed with Pryor.
“Skylar’s a great athlete who just flies to the ball all the time,” Gustafson said. “He’s a hustler who never takes any plays off. I know I can always trust him.
“I know if I have to take on a block to make a tackle, he’ll be there.”
Known as “Blue” to friends and family, O’Neill took special satisfaction in the homecoming victory.
It marked the first time in his three years that the Rams have captured the crosstown rivalry. He also had a large family continent wearing special customized shirts with his No. 11.
One of the most prominent was maternal grandfather Don Schultz, who won the 1959 state wrestling championship at 133 pounds for Reavis.
“Every big play, even when I wasn’t involved, it was great to sit back and watch them go out and make plays,” O’Neill said of his teammates. “Honestly, just being here, iron sharpens iron.
“Practicing with my teammates and getting better with them is special.”
O’Neill also is a two-year starter at setter in volleyball for the Rams, who won a regional title last spring.
“Being a setter is like being the quarterback in volleyball, and at safety, it’s very similar,” O’Neill said. “You’re commanding people around. I think I kind of fell into both roles naturally.”
He takes the best from both sports and fuses them together.
“Volleyball is more neutral,” O’Neill said. “In football, if you get mad, you can take it out on the field. In volleyball, if you’re frustrated, you just have to move on to the next play.
“That carries over. You miss a tackle or drop a ball, you still have to move on.”
Besides winning, O’Neill enjoys another unique aspect that only football offers up.
“I love a great tackle,” he said. “I love the big hit, hearing the pads pop — the sound and all that.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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