Oct. 13--Dante Cleveland spent most of Saturday enjoying his 18th birthday.
The Hoffman Estates senior defensive end and tight end kept having one thought ring through his head: getting back to the football field.
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Cleveland, a two-way starter, has missed the last four games with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He's slated to return for Friday's home game against Conant.
"I was thinking about (my injury) even more on my birthday," Cleveland said. "I've been thinking about it all the time, from when I wake up to when I go to sleep. I've never been hurt like this in my career. It's been really frustrating and really humbled me. It made think about just not being able to get out there and play. It's really frustrating."
Although Cleveland's initial diagnosis indicated a possible season-ending injury, he beat his timetable by two weeks. His return is good timing for a Hawks' squad fighting to become playoff eligible.
Hoffman Estates (3-4) defeated Fremd 25-24 in overtime on Friday.
"He's coming back this week," Hoffman Estates coach Mike Donatucci said. "He's handled it very well, kept his head in the game and coached up the younger kids."
Cleveland's injury came at a bad time for his recruiting,
Cleveland said he has offers from Fordham, Army, Austin Peay, Ball State, Central Michigan, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois and Indiana State.
Cleveland stayed active after his surgery by working with a trainer, concentrating on his upper body and working on muscle memory drills.
"One of my goals this season was an offer from a (big) school, but my season is still not over," he said. "I got my film in. A lot of schools wanted to see, especially the bigger schools, film of me throughout the season. It's been frustrating."
As the winningest coach in Mid-Suburban League history, Donatucci has watched the recruiting landscape change considerably over the years.
"It's a process that has changed tremendous over the last 20 years," he said. "I tell Dante everything happens for a reason. He has to just let it play it out and keep vigilant and not rule anything out. He's an intelligent kid and does all the right things in the classroom. He has a ton of upside."
Cleveland's recruiting becomes more complicated factoring in his position in college. Will he be a defensive end or tight end? Maybe even defensive tackle?
"I think his future is on defense," Donatucci said. "He's a better defensive player. He uses his hands well and understands leverage and is very coachable."
"I have no preference with offense or defense," Cleveland said. "Some schools have recruited me as a defensive end, and some schools like Indiana and Illinois think a three-technique."
One position Cleveland won't play this season or in college is quarterback, though Donatucci vividly remembers his passing ability.
"(Dante) could throw the crap out of the ball," Donatucci said. "Our quarterback got hurt in Dante's sophomore year and he had to play quarterback."
"I could throw the ball pretty far, but I don't know how accurate," Cleveland recalled, laughing."
Wirtel vs. Wirtel?: The irony is not lost on Steven Wirtel.
The Mount Carmel senior long snapper is one of the top remaining uncommitted seniors in the Chicago area. One of the schools on his list is Kansas. His older brother, John Wirtel, is a junior long snapper at Kansas. Steven Wirtel already has made an unofficial visit to Kansas this fall.
"I would have the opportunity to compete with him," Steven Wirtel said, chuckling at the prospect. "(John) knows that, but the joke around the family is we would compete. It would be fun. At least we would be right there in one place for the family.
"It's definitely little different with the recruiting process of having him there, but it would be fun to be there with him and play with him for that one year. I haven't played with him in my football career."
Wirtel, who has offers from Auburn, Georgia, Illinois, Wisconsin and Kansas, is planning to take official visits to Georgia and Auburn after his high school season. He made an unofficial visit to Wisconsin for the Hawaii game on Sept. 26, and wants to visit Illinois.
"After the season, I will sit down with my parents and write some things down and figure out which place is the right one," Wirtel said.
At 6-4 and 210 pounds, Wirtel is a valuable player for the Caravan. He has played wide receiver, tight end and outside linebacker this season.
"I'm very proud of that, and it helps show what type of athlete you are to colleges," he said.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
