Naperville Central’s Matthew Guerin Embraces Defensive Leadership Role
A resilient defensive effort defines Naperville Central football this season, spearheaded by senior linebacker Matthew Guerin, who has seamlessly transitioned back to his original position after a valuable stint on offense.
Naperville Central senior Matthew Guerin is a linebacker by trade, a position he honed during his freshman and sophomore years. However, a team need saw him shift to fullback during his junior year, contributing to the Redhawks’ notable run to the Class 8A state semifinals. Despite the offensive adjustment, Guerin remained a key contributor.
“He could have played linebacker as a junior, but we just had a bunch of seniors there,” coach Michael Stine explained. “He’s a team player,and he stepped up and did a great job at fullback.”
This season, Guerin has returned to his natural position, and the 6-foot, 210-pound linebacker has embraced the opportunity, quickly establishing himself as one of the Redhawks’ leading tacklers. His relentless pursuit of the ball is a hallmark of his game.
“I absolutely love it,” Guerin stated. “I’m able to make a play on every down, rather than rotating in and out. It’s a great experience playing alongside my teammates on defense.”
Senior Paul Peradotti, a returning starter on defense, has witnessed Guerin’s rapid enhancement firsthand. “He played linebacker his freshman and sophomore years, so it’s like he’s been playing it for four years,” Peradotti noted. “This year presented an adjustment, but he fully embraced the role and has played with incredible heart. He learned quickly and is a true competitor.”
Guerin’s development was also influenced by former players, including Daniel Nussbaum, Nate czachor, and Aaron Nussbaum, who imparted valuable knowledge and experience. “They are some of the best in the business, and they shared their expertise with me,” Guerin acknowledged. “I’m grateful for their guidance.”
Despite a challenging season record of 2-6 (2-4 in the Southwest Valley Blue), the Redhawks’ defense continues to demonstrate unwavering effort. A recent 29-10 loss to Homewood-flossmoor on October 17, 2025, at Memorial Stadium underscored this resilience.
“Our strength as a defense is our ability to keep fighting, regardless of the circumstances,” Guerin emphasized.”We often find ourselves in challenging situations, but we always battle through them. Our team is known for its defensive tenacity.”
Guerin’s competitive drive and commitment are undeniable. A senior official highlighted Guerin’s relentless pursuit, stating, “If you want to see how much this matters to him, watch him run to the ball on film. He made crucial plays last week with the game on the line, and he delivered in overtime against Lockport.”
His performance in the Redhawks’ 28-21 overtime victory over Metea Valley on October 10 was particularly noteworthy. Guerin made two pivotal plays on fourth down, thwarting potential scoring drives. “They ran a ‘swinging gate’ formation, and we weren’t perfectly aligned,” the official explained. “Matt simply chased down the play and made a stop that shouldn’t have been possible. He hustled and made the play.” Guerin also secured his frist interception during that game.
“We never question his effort or commitment,” the official added. “He consistently runs around and makes impactful tackles. He has a natural feel for the game, is athletic, and genuinely cares about the team’s success.”
As the season nears its conclusion, Guerin remains focused on the final game against crosstown rival Naperville North at North Central Collage on Friday. While the Redhawks are no longer in playoff contention, the rivalry game holds significant importance.
“Although we won’t be participating in the playoffs,this game is our playoffs,” Guerin declared. “Our team understands the tradition and honors it.Everything comes down to this game, and we are fully prepared.”
