Sure, Batavia’s Chase Osborne believes personal accolades are great. His deal? ‘Our defense is awesome as a whole.’

Don’t even bother asking Batavia’s Chase Osborne about any personal achievements.

Sure, the senior safety will say he’s “super honored” to be recognized as first team all-state for Class 7A by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. But he’s a team-first player.

“I really think our defense is awesome as a whole,” Osborne said, spinning things away from himself. “When you have as much speed and talent as we have everyone could be all-state.

“I am very honored to get recognized, but it’s a testament to our entire defense.”

It’s hard not to be impressed when you look at Osborne’s stats. Despite standing only 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, he packs a punch with 127 tackles, including a staggering 16 tackles for loss.

“He’s kind of every little man’s superhero,” Batavia defensive coordinator Matt Holm said. “He’s just very heady. He has a tremendous motor. He pays great attention to detail.”

Holm brought up an example from Tuesday’s practice. After watching film to prepare for Saturday’s 5 p.m. Class 7A state semifinal at Lincoln-Way Central in New Lenox, Osborne came up to Holm and defensive backs coach Billy Colamatteo with an idea.

“He said, ‘We ran this last year and it was effective. Are we going to run it?’” Holm said. “It’s a nice little wrinkle we haven’t done this year. He paid attention and liked it. He’s very heads up and attentive.”

Batavia coach Dennis Piron, for one, likes how Osborne exudes accountability and plays with his hair on fire, attributes his teammates follow. It’s why he was named a team captain this season.

“He’s got a look,” Piron said. “Confidence, intensity, self-assuredness like ‘I’ve got you coach.’ He’s always brought that energy and passion.

“When you play like every play is your last play and play like your life depends on it, that’s what you get. He does things to keep guys going.”

Osborne thinks the defense played its best game Saturday against Downers Grove North, a 17-7 win. The Bulldogs held the Trojans’ offense scoreless and limited them to 146 yards passing.

Osborne had eight tackles and three tackles for loss. It followed a 25-21 second-round win over Lincoln-Way West.

“I think that was the fastest and most physical we’ve played,” Osborne said. “It started in the second half of the Lincoln-Way West game. Last week we were just clicking.”

Being steeped in Batavia’s football culture helped Osborne develop that trait.

Between his older brother Brody, now a linebacker at Grand Valley State, and a fellow defensive back like Tony Roberts, now at Indiana State, he had plenty of role models.

Piron knows the nature of the program he has helped to build lends itself to players like Osborne blossoming and finding their own voice.

“We’ve been really blessed with the right combination of community, coaches, talent, and it’s paid off,” Piron said. “His brother was an intense dude. We have sons (of former players) like (Bodi) Anderson. We have brothers like (Jacob) Jansey and Osborne, (Nathan) Whitwell.”

Starting in Piron’s first season as head coach in 2011, the Bulldogs have reached the state semifinals seven times. Four times they have reached the championship game, winning state titles in 2013 and 2017.

The significance of those accomplishments is not lost on the Batavia graduate.

“That’s the thing that’s most unique,” Piron said. “You’re practicing under the lights. The leaves change. People start talking about Christmas. It’s hard to believe you finished the season a month ago and you’re still going. It’s something.”

For someone like Osborne, it doesn’t go unnoticed.

“We’re extremely grateful,” Osborne said. “We’re still able to be together. We definitely are focused on Lincoln-Way Central, but it’s that one more week thing. We want to end it on our own terms.

“No other team will dictate when we’re done.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

Originally Published: November 21, 2024 at 11:18 AM CST