Senior safety Gavin Wade still remembers the sting of Naperville Central’s loss to Lyons in a Class 8A playoff opener two years ago.

Wade was one of six sophomores to play for the Redhawks in that game, and they waited two years to avenge that defeat in Western Springs.

“We knew we needed revenge, especially on this field,” Wade said. “But it took the whole team’s effort, not just us, to get this team win, and it really means a lot to this program and us.”

The 6-foot, 175-pound Wade means a lot to the seventh-seeded Redhawks, who returned to the scene of that 2022 loss and upset second-seeded Lyons 24-7 in the state quarterfinals last week.

Naperville Central (11-1), which advanced to the state semifinals for the first time since winning the 8A title in 2013, will play 14th-seeded York (10-2) at Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Wade’s grit and unselfishness have endeared him to teammates and coaches, who were pained when he suffered a separated left shoulder against Lockport in Week 6. In the same game, fellow three-year starter Aaron Nussbaum suffered a torn ACL.

“He’s one of my favorite football players I’ve ever watched play,” Naperville Central coach Mike Ulreich said of Wade. “I was so heartbroken when he got hurt.

“I have so much joy watching him play football. He’s unbelievable. It’s so good to see him back.”

Wade and Aaron Nussbaum both missed four games and returned to action for Naperville Central’s 31-28 victory against Fremd in the second round. Aaron Nussbaum has been used in a limited role, but Wade is playing full time even though he isn’t fully healed. Wade returned an interception for a touchdown against Fremd and has 38 tackles, five pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in eight games.“I had a third-degree separation, but it’s good enough to play right now, and that’s my goal,” he said. “I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do in order to win.”

Even if he’s sore.

“At the start, it was really painful, but now that I’ve gotten used to it, since last week it’s actually been feeling pretty good,” Wade said. “So I’m not really having that much of a hard time with it.”

Instead, Wade is back to giving opponents a hard time. He helped the Redhawks hold the previously unbeaten Lions to 188 yards of offense.

“Man, words can’t describe it, but I’m so happy for Gavin,” Naperville Central senior receiver DeShaun Williams said. “He came back out, the shoulder is still popped out, but he plays like he’s 100% normal.

“He’s strong everywhere. He’s patient on the runs, patient in his backpedal, and he can read your hips.”

Wade was all over the field against the Lions, making open-field tackles to stymie drives. One of them prevented a touchdown in the third quarter. But he wasn’t completely satisfied.

“I gave up two big post plays,” Wade said. “They scored (after) one of them. I think I did a solid job tackling, but over the top, that was a bad game by me. It won’t happen next week.”

Senior linebacker Daniel Nussbaum is thrilled to have his brother Aaron and Wade back.

“We’re playing our best football,” Daniel Nussbaum said. “It really has so much to do with those two and the way they lead the team, the way they show others how to work hard.”

Wade’s toughness is unquestioned, and so are his skills.

“What makes him a great safety is his quickness to the ball,” Daniel Nussbaum said. “When the ball is released, he’s going to go get it, and the way he can fill on a run is incredible.

“But really what makes him a great person is the way he loves the whole team and the way he pushes harder than anyone else. He picks you up whenever you’re down, he’s one of the nicest guys on the team, one of my greatest friends, and he’s a great football player.”

Wade has offers from Wisconsin-Whitewater and Wisconsin-Platteville but said he won’t make a college decision until after the season.

“These guys have been my boys my whole life,” Wade said. “It’s just great winning games with each other, especially celebrating and everything. Going deep in the playoffs means a lot to us.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.