Early in the second quarter of New Trier’s 41-39 win over Waukegan, Trevians junior Charlie Schoder returned a kickoff 85 yards to the end zone.
The play on Sept. 27 was called back because of a hold, but those close to the New Trier program no doubt felt there was something familiar about the scene: a kick returner accelerating though a big hole created by his blockers and speeding toward the end zone as fans yell, “Go, Charlie, go!”
A few years ago, Charlie Tilson electrified Trevian fans in similar fashion. The 2011 graduate now plays baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization after being selected in the second round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.
“I think (Schoder) reminds me of Charlie Tilson a little bit,” New Trier coach Dan Starkey said. “We use him on both sides of the ball and special teams. He’s a big part of what we’re doing. He’s a very good athlete and a good football player.”
Schoder, who is in his second year as a starting defensive back and his first as a kick and punt returner and wide receiver, said he feels honored to be compared to Tilson. He said he looked up to Tilson when the former Trevian was teammates with Schoder’s older brother, Scott.
“Charlie Tilson was my brother’s age and I watched him a ton,” Schoder said. “He was unbelievable! Every time he touched the ball you thought he was going to score. He was so fast. He was awesome. Seeing him play, I kind of wanted to be like him.”
Schoder found athletic inspiration in all of his siblings: He is the youngest of five, four boys and a girl, and everyone played high school sports.
“Growing up with them was nice,” he said. “I had older brothers to look up to. I can’t imagine how many games I went to.”
Schoder said that when he was in elementary school, he imagined his high school athletic career would resemble that of another brother, Robbie, who is now 25 years old.
“I wanted to be a basketball player, but I never ended up growing,” said the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Schoder, who also plays lacrosse. “For football games, (Robbie was a big fan and) used to bring a flag and run up and down the stands. I kind of pictured myself doing that.”
With his three oldest siblings out of college and living in the Chicagoland area, New Trier games usually boast a sizable Charlie Schoder cheering section.
In addition to Schoder’s called-back kickoff return against Waukegan, his family also got to see its youngest grab his first interception of the season.
“(Schoder) and Frank (Nicholas, the Trevians’ quarterback) are the fastest on the team, they have breakaway speed,” said New Trier junior Scott Hammes, who, like Schoder, plays wide receiver, defensive back and returns kicks and punts.
Schoder “has good cuts and great moves as well,” Hammes said.
“He’s fast, strong, athletic and has a good knowledge of the game.”
