After wrestling nationals, Wauconda junior Finn Loomis eyes next step on gridiron

Wauconda junior lineman Finn Loomis has been anything but stationary this summer.

Even as he worked to build on his impressive 2025 season as a two-way starter for the Bulldogs, Loomis also competed outside Illinois in wrestling for the first time.

But keeping busy is well within his comfort zone.

“I get bored when I’m not doing a lot of stuff,” Loomis said. “That’s just how I’m wired. I can’t imagine being on the bench because then how would I help the team? I like being on the field at all times.”

Wauconda’s coaches are happy to accommodate Loomis, who proved last season that he’s more than capable of handling the workload. He played solidly at left tackle for an offense that averaged 42.8 points and helped plug holes on the defensive interior on a unit that held six of 10 opponents to 20 points or less as the Bulldogs (9-1, 7-0) won the Northern Lake County Conference title.

“He’s one of the strongest kids I’ve ever seen, the kind of brute strength that makes him a difference-maker,” Wauconda coach Chris Prostka said. “He’s a pretty soft-spoken guy but a very hard worker. For only being a junior, he’s experienced quite a bit already, which will only make him better.”

Prostka could have been talking about Loomis’ experience in either football or wrestling.

“The low man wins,” Loomis said. “I think I heard that just today in practice. When you stay low and fire off the ball, you get more power. Staying level has helped me in both sports, and obviously strength helps in both.”

In wrestling, Loomis won the third-place medal in the 215-pound weight class at the Class 2A state meet in February, when he competed against only juniors and seniors. His success allowed him to participate in both freestyle and Greco-Roman national tournaments.

“It was definitely a big step for someone local like me to be wrestling people from all over the nation,” Loomis said. “I may not have gotten the best results, but it will make me better in the long run. I would definitely like to win state this year.”

Loomis also wants to be better on the football field, where he’ll play guard this season.

“I definitely missed a couple of blocks, so the aim is to not mess up as much,” he said. “If I had made certain plays, it could have led to a 20-yard gain or even a touchdown. If you miss your block on the offensive line, it can instantly ruin the play.”

Loomis expects to benefit from his experience as a starter last season.

“Last year was a big time for me in my football career,” he said. “It really helped me. During pregame, it felt like my heart was beating out of my chest. That will be different now. I’ll be much cooler and calmer this year.”

Changing positions certainly hasn’t been a problem for Loomis.

“He can learn new things really quickly,” Wauconda junior lineman Noah Schuck said. “This summer, he missed a week of football because of wrestling, and we learned a bunch of new plays. When he came back, he learned it all in a day.

“He doesn’t even have to ask questions. You tell him something, and he gets it right.”

Loomis wants to get more right on the defensive side of the ball too.

“I need to be better at standing my ground, setting my heel line and being patient for the play and not going too far up field,” he said. “I probably enjoy defense more because you get to attack. I like rushing through people and attacking.”

Loomis is learning an additional role as well.

“I want to be more of a leader on this team,” he said. “This year, I’m not as afraid or nervous as when I was just coming onto varsity. I know what it’s all about and am happy to have pressure on me to perform.

“I’m still watching and learning, but I’m trying to take on a more vocal role in guiding others.”