Dusenberry is the Jack of All Trades for Wilton
The Wilton Beavers (10-1) have their own version of University of Colorado's Travis Hunter in their own backyard.
His name? Jordan Dusenberry.
Dusenberry, playing his natural position of defensive back, had a career-high four interceptions of junior quarterback Kyle Tracy in last week's 21-14 Class 1A quarterfinal win over Regina Catholic (9-2).
"Intercepting four passes (in a playoff game) was really surprising to me," Dusenberry said. "It was also surprising to everyone. I always have the ability to go out there and do that, but I do not always get thrown at every game. It was such an exciting moment to get four in one game."
This season, Dusenberry also has thrown the ball once for 30 yards, has four rushes for 57 yards, caught the ball 40 times (second most for Wilton) and has a touchdown reception, made a team-high eight kick returns for 164 yards, returned seven punts for 82 yards and has punted the ball 21 times for 768 yards.
"If there is a definition of a utility player, Jordan is just that," Wilton head coach Ryan Hetzler said. "He starts at receiver for us. He has plenty of catches and makes great plays for us on offense. He punts for us on special teams, he is a kick and punt returner as well as a defensive back. A 'jack of all trades' and extremely important and vital to our success this year."
The do-it-all senior thrives on being a focal point on all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams.
"I would rank defensive back first, then receiver, then kick returner, punter and then punt returner," Dusenberry said. "My favorite position is most definitely defensive back. Just being ... able to hit people, make tackles in the open, and then going up and getting the ball too."
Dusenberry, who had four interceptions heading into last Friday's playoff game, doubled his season interception total to put him at 12 interceptions in his Wilton career.
"Jordan is a really special player for us, and he has been a starting defensive back for us last two years," Hetzler said. "Last year, he was a first-team all-state guy at that position, but Jordan's a guy that most of the teams we play do not want to throw the ball near him because he knows that."
Dusenberry idolized the late Sean Taylor and former Philadelphia Eagle Brian Dawkins growing up and aspires to play like them when on the gridiron. The senior also wrestles with the team in the winter months.
Dusenberry was named first-team all-conference after the last wrestling season and led Wilton to the conference and regional championship victories, taking third place at state individually and as a team. Dusenberry felt there was one aspect of competing on the mats that has helped him improve his skills on the turf.
"Just being able to tackle," Dusenberry said. "Just being able to drive in certain position and how to tackle in a different type of way and being able to tackle from every position."
During the spring season, Dusenberry also runs track and field. His forte is the hurdles. Dusenberry qualified for the state championship in the shuttle hurdle relay team his sophomore year, with his quartet finishing in 16th place overall. Last season, Dusenberry finished in 12th place at the Iowa track and field state championships in the 110-meter hurdles (15.46) and 12 milliseconds off his personal-best of 15.34. The Wilton senior felt as if he improved a different skill set at track and field during the football offseason.
"I do a lot of box jumps, and I am a hurdler, so that incorporates me jumping and just getting faster overall to become a better football player," Dusenberry said.
Physically, Dusenberry has gotten stronger and faster over the years, but Hetzler feels like his versatile senior's best attribute is something more mental.
"Jordan has an instinct, some of those intangibles, some of the things you cannot necessarily coach," Hetzler said. "He has been around football for a long time in his life, and he just understands the game. There are certain things that you don't have to say to him, and he just understands and has extremely good ball skills."
Dusenberry is still undecided about his higher-education career and does not know which sport he would join at the next level yet. However, he does have a strong idea for what his potential major will be next year.
"I am most likely going to be a physical therapist or chiropractor," Dusenberry said. "I have always liked how to help people with their body and mind."
The Beavers will take on top-ranked Grundy Center (11-0) in the 1A semifinals at 10 a.m. Friday at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. This will be the Beavers' first appearance in the semifinals, while the Spartans have won 37 straight games.
"It is amazing," Dusenberry said about Wilton going to the state semifinals for the first time. "It is such a good achievement for our community, our school and us. Us seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen have all dreamt about this moment since we were little kids playing in the front yards and backyards of our houses."
