There’s no rest for the weary as the calendar flips to November, and Grayslake North’s Tyler McBride is front and center in reinforcing that.
The senior linebacker/tight end rarely comes off the field, and the production he provides on both sides of the ball will continue to be paramount for the Knights in the playoffs that begin Friday.
“I love that I get as many opportunities as I can to influence the game,” McBride said. “I take a little rest occasionally, but it doesn’t take me long to be itching to get back out there.”
Having McBride as close to the action as possible makes sense for ninth-seeded Grayslake North (7-2), which will play eighth-seeded Antioch (7-2) on the road in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday.
As an inside linebacker, McBride is the leading tackler for a defense that allowed just 46 points in the last five games. On offense, he is a capable blocker and an option for senior quarterback Mitchell Hughes in the passing game.
“Those are two of the toughest positions on the football field,” Grayslake North coach Brian Johnson said. “You’re running all the time, and you have to be physical because you’re around the ball every single play. The fact that he does everything so well is impressive. He’s Mr. Steady for us.”
To Johnson’s point, it’s not difficult to find McBride on the field when he’s playing defense because he’s always around the ball. He has 88 tackles and two fumble recoveries. McBride uses his 6-foot-2, 215-pound frame to elude oncoming blockers and brings plenty of pop once he sizes up the ball carrier.
McBride is also the Knights’ defensive leader and relishes the role.
“I love the feeling of being the quarterback of the defense,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed being physical and being able to make plays. But I really enjoy helping my guys out, giving them that ease. After every play, I’m giving debriefs.”
McBride is intentional about providing support to his teammates throughout the game. It starts at the line of scrimmage, where he’s often the one calling out the unit’s alignments. That’s also when he sifts through the sight-recognition keys he has compiled from extensive film study and experience.
“There’s my triangle read of the wing, guard and the back,” McBride said. “The easiest thing to see before the snap is motion. Then I look at the guard right after. If I get past him, I’m staring right at the running back. That’s my reward.”
One of the players who has most benefited from McBride’s support is sophomore Beckett Dovel, who started in the secondary last season but moved next to McBride as a linebacker for the Knights’ conference game against Grant on Sept. 20. Dovel’s older brother Landon is a senior running back.
“Last year, (McBride) was one of the main guys to step up and show me the ropes,” Dovel said. “He definitely initiated that. If my brother had to go to work, (McBride) would always drive me home from practice.”
The extra time that McBride allocates for Dovel extends to the study hall the two share.
“If we have time on Mondays, we’ll look at film and go over scout and the game plan,” Dovel said. “He’ll also help see what things I can do better. He’s always doing the right thing for the good of the team.”
That includes McBride taking on the role of tight end. The increased workload was a bit ambitious last year but has suited him perfectly this season.
“Last year, I didn’t have the stamina, and every time I’d be on offense, I’d get unfocused on defense,” McBride said. “Everything is clicking now.”
McBride, who has 15 catches for 251 yards and four touchdowns, isn’t talking only about receiving.
“I love blocking,” he said. “It’s the most satisfying thing. Sometimes I wish I was an offensive lineman. And catching-wise, my bread and butter are the seam routes or quick hitches. I’m just another weapon.”
McBride had a brief scare during the Knights’ first matchup against Antioch, which won 22-18 in a Northern Lake County Conference game on Oct. 4. He went down with a neck issue in the fourth quarter, was examined thoroughly on the field and was taken to a local hospital for an MRI while the game was wrapping up.
But everything checked out fine, and McBride was back at practice four days later.
“I just thought I would need a second and I’d get up,” he said. “But they cut my jersey off to examine me easier. You never think it’s going to be you going off on a stretcher, but it gave me a new outlook on how much I appreciate football.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
