Crete-Monee senior Marcus Kidd was raised to place team success ahead of individual achievements.
It’s a characteristic his mother, Demetria, instilled in the 6-foot-3, 185-pound wide receiver from a young age.
“It’s not about ‘I,’ it’s about ‘we,'” Kidd said. “I was always taught to be a team guy. My mom made sure of that.”
Last season, Kidd did more blocking than catching as the Warriors (11-3), who rushed for approximately 3,000 yards, reached the Class 6A state championship game.
Kidd’s blocking skills were a key as Crete-Monee, ranked No. 4 in the Daily Southtown Preseason Top 10, took aim at a second state title in four years before dropping a 38-1 decision to Montini.
“Never once did Marcus complain about us running the ball so often,” Crete-Monee coach John Konecki said. “He was happy to contribute to us winning any way that he could. He’s an incredibly unselfish, team-oriented young man. And he’s an unbelievably talented and tough kid.”
Kidd made it clear whether he catches 50 passes or five, as long as the Warriors are successful, that’s all that matters.
“Whatever the team needs me to do or needs me to play, I’m going to go,” Kidd said. “On this team, we all play as one. We play together. We’re looking to make another run this year.”
With strong-armed junior Isaiah Rucker at quarterback, the Warriors will try to make another run while passing the ball a little more. It should allow Kidd to showcase his pass-catching abilities.
The 6-5, 210-pound Rucker has the strength and accuracy to convert throws to any spot on the field, according Konecki.
“Isaiah has worked his tail off in the weight room,” Konecki said. “He’s much stronger. He has a tremendous arm.”
Juawan Treadwell, a 6-0, 170-pound defensive back, has witnessed a growing connection between Rucker and Kidd during practice. Treadwell believes the duo will develop into one of the area’s top tandems.
“Marcus is a big target and he has great hands,” Treadwell said. “He’s good at going up and getting the jump balls. Isaiah has the ability to get him the ball.”
Treadwell, who has been offered a scholarship by Illinois, knows a thing or two about evaluating receivers. His older brother, Laquon, was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings after leading Crete-Monee to an undefeated 6A state title in 2012.
He’s also provided his younger brother with some quality advice on how to contain receivers.
“My brother told me that receivers do not like to be touched,” Juawan Treadwell said. “So I try to stay up on them and they complain to the officials.”
With a considerable amount of talent on the roster, defensive lineman John Mitchell (6-3, 31) believes the key to the Warriors producing another successful season will be team unity.
“We have to stay together and stay focused,” Mitchell said. “There’s a lot of talent on this team. We have to be willing to help each other out. If we do that, we can achieve anything.”
A three-year starter, Mitchell has received several Division I offers, including from Illinois. But Mitchell confirmed all he’s concerned about right now is helping the Warriors win the season opener vs. T.F. South.
“I’m excited,” Mitchell said. “I think we all are. We’re focused on T.F. South and not looking ahead. Go play hard and do our jobs and we’ll be fine.
Twitter @disabato
Countdown to football
Between now and opening night, the Daily Southtown will unveil its preseason Top 10 teams.
Tuesday: Lemont
Wednesday: Richards
Thursday: St. Laurence
Friday: Providence
Sunday: Marist
Monday: Mount Carmel
Today: Crete-Monee
Wednesday: No. 3
Thursday: No. 2
Friday: No. 1
