Senior linebacker Noah Hedlund waited his turn to be the leader of Burlington Central’s defense.

Last season, Hedlund was a starter for the Rockets at fullback but also rotated in at linebacker, even starting two games there. But looking ahead, the 2025 season was supposed to be different.

Defensive coordinator Nicholas Scoliere already knew that and decided to plant a seed.

“I used to give him a lot of grief because he was in my class last year,” Scoliere said. “I was like, ‘Can I trust you to signal the defense next year? Can you do it?’ He was like, ‘Yeah.’

“Over the summer, he really took on that leadership role and wanted to be that guy on defense.”

Hedlund’s role as a leader started in the offseason, where he practically lived in the weight room. His teammates followed the emerging middle linebacker, and the regular-season results are in.

The Rockets (8-1) have only allowed 87 points heading into Saturday’s 6 p.m. Class 6A first-round playoff game against Libertyville (5-4). Hedlund leads the way with 62 tackles, including 53 solo.

“It’s been amazing,” Hedlund said. “I was praying to start last year. I got two games, which was better than none. This year, being that guy is awesome. Consistency got me to where I am now.”

Hedlund also credited Scoliere, a Marmion graduate, in preparing him for the role.

That’s no surprise to Burlington Central coach Brian Iossi.

Senior linebacker Noah Hedlund takes a break from working out in the weight room at Burlington Central on Monday, Oct. 27, 2025. (Paul Johnson / The Beacon-News)

“I think ‘Sco’ is one of the best defensive coordinators in the state — I truly believe that,” Iossi said. “He’s brilliant. Trying to go up against him in practice every day is miserable.”

Scoliere puts Hedlund in a position to succeed, and Hedlund then guides the defense on the field as an extension of his coach.

“He just knows things I wouldn’t think of,” Hedlund said of Scoliere. “He’s really smart. The way he plans and the amount of work he puts in is outstanding.

“I don’t think I’d be here right now if it weren’t for him calling the plays.”

Although Scoliere gave Hedlund some grief last year, Scoliere knew deep down that Hedlund was ready for the challenge. Learning from last year’s seniors didn’t hurt, either.

“He’s been really pushing for it for three years,” Scoliere said of Hedlund. “He’s been really chomping at the bit. He was working with those guys on his technique. He did all the little things.”

That said, Hedlund is just one part of a deep defense that rotates up to 21 players every week.

There’s no superstar in the group, considering that Hedlund is the only player for the Rockets with more than 50 tackles. Aidan Nuno is the team’s sack leader with six.

“I think one of the most unique things about our defense is there isn’t anyone really popping off the spreadsheet,” Iossi said. “It’s just spread out across 21 guys.

“Noah has been the leader. He’s our leading tackler this year and one of our captains. He drove a lot of our offseason. Between him and Aidan, those two guys set the pace for our defense.”

Burlington Central got a taste of the big time the past two seasons by going 8-3 each year and winning a playoff game. The Rockets went through a gauntlet of Prairie Ridge, Cary-Grove and Jacobs in a three-week span last season and survived.

Now, they view themselves in that light as well.

“We like to say we’re in the gauntlet now too,” Hedlund said. “Teams should feel the same way when facing us. It’s pretty cool to establish ourselves as one of the top teams in conference.”

And now, the goal is to get past the second round and keep the momentum going.

“Having a better record than last season is amazing,” Hedlund said. “Proving people wrong means a lot. I’d say that’s our main drive.”

Pau Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/noah-hedlund-burlington-central-ihsa-football/