Daily Chronicle 2024 Football Player of the Year: Sycamore’s Burke Gautcher

In three years on the Sycamore varsity roster, Burke Gautcher was part of a football program that went 32-4, won two conference titles and won six playoff games.

He did so playing three positions for the Spartans.

Whatever it took, he said, to help keep the tradition going.

“It’s really special playing at Sycamore,” Gautcher said. “You’re always going to be playing in playoff games. You’re always going to be battling for conference championships. It’s kind of just how it is at Sycamore, and to be a part of that for a three-year run is really special to see. It was exciting to be with such a great program.”

This season, Gautcher earned a spot on the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 5A All-State team as a two-way starter. He completed 61.5% of his passes for 1,884 yards, 17 touchdowns and an interception. He ran for 245 yards and eight touchdowns on 50 carries. And as a safety he had 60 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown.

He’s also the Daily Chronicle Football Player of the Year for the second straight year.

“That says a lot,” Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said of the Spartans' 32-4 record over the past three years, including an 11-1 record this season. “I don’t know if anyone has played in that many games in the history of our school and won that many. In fact, I know they haven’t. He’s been a part of a lot of success, and he’s been the reason for a lot of it.”

Two years ago, Gautcher played wide receiver for the Spartans as a sophomore as Sycamore reached a 5A semifinal. Last year, he shifted to quarterback, where he played as well as at safety the past two years.

The Spartans started the year playing in four one-score games, coming from behind in the first three. Gautcher said the team just kept getting better as the year went on, losing 10-0 to St. Francis in a 5A quarterfinal – the fewest points St. Francis scored all year.

“I think it showed how much our team doesn’t give up,” Gautcher said. “We were never out of a game and played a full four quarters. It was great seeing our guys finish those tough games.”

Now Gautcher begins the transition to college and playing for Iowa. The Hawkeyes on signing day earlier this month confirmed that they expect him to move to linebacker.

Of course, that’s the only position he’ll have to worry about.

“It’s not easy playing safety with all the things we ask of the safety position then to come back and play quarterback and do all the things we ask of a quarterback,” Ryan said. “I think he’s going to enjoy the opportunity to play one position.”

Gautcher said he plans on enrolling early, reporting to Iowa in late January. He said he knows playing high-level college football will be an adjustment, and he’s grateful for the extra time he’s going to have.

“I kind of always wanted to go early,” Gautcher said. “I just feel like going in the winter is important. You get spring ball. It really gives you an extra semester to develop, and going to a place like Iowa to develop is exciting.”

Gautcher said he was proud of the way he and the seniors on the team stepped into leadership roles this year.

“It was really nice to help some of the younger guys along with their season,” Gautcher said. “I’m really excited to see them as the years go on. Especially our offensive line guys, they were pretty young this year and are all returning.”