At Vernon Hills, the sons also rise

Vernon Hills' Evan Spencer (left) and DaVaris Daniels talk during halftime of a game earlier this year.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)

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Living six doors away from each other since the sixth grade, Vernon Hills football stars DaVaris Daniels and Evan Spencer have found enough in common through the years to become best friends.

Juniors on a successful 8-2 Cougars team that has already racked up an Class 5A playoff win, the pair are also sons of prominent NFL fathers.

DaVaris' dad is Washington Redskins defensive end Philip Daniels (who formerly played for the Bears) and Evan's dad is Bears running backs coach Tim Spencer, a former NFL player and the third-leading rusher in Ohio State history (behind Heisman Trophy winners Archie Griffin and Eddie George ).

Tim Spencer comes to every Vernon Hills game his pro schedule will allow, and goes over his son's performance afterward.

"Mainly, he gets on me about holding onto the ball," said Evan, referring to his father's football advice. "He gets on both of us about holding the ball too loosely."

Evan and DaVaris are both listed as wideouts and defensive backs in the game-time programs, but both also run the ball, with DaVaris lining up at quarterback in a wildcat formation on a regular basis.

"My dad has mostly taught me about playing defense and seeing the field," said DaVaris. "He played quarterback in high school, but I mostly learned about playing offense on my own."

"I mainly try to help him with his body," said Phillip, who was in town for the Cougars' 48-0 thrashing of Brooks in the 5A playoffs on Saturday. "I help him recover from his injuries between games, trying to get him healed up for the next game. He had a bad hamstring this year so I'm trying to get that squared away."

A 13-year veteran of the NFL, Phillip Daniels was able to see the Brooks game in person thanks to a bye week for his NFL team.

"The coaches do a good job sending me game films, and my wife comes to every game, so she fills me in regularly," he said. "Plus, I watch the games live on the school Web site whenever I can."

DaVaris and Evan are both being courted by college grid powers Wisconsin and Nebraska, with the former also being recruited heavily by Illinois, the University of Miami and Georgia.

"I'm not trying to get him to go to Georgia because I went there," laughed Phillip Daniels. "We'll weigh all the options, but where he goes will be his decision."

"We'd like to go to the same school," said Evan, as DaVaris nodded his agreement. "But we'll have to see how things play out."

Vernon Hills coach Tony Monken believes that any university would be glad to have either player.

"Both are great young men who work hard and are very humble," said Monken. "There's no arrogance at all about either of them."

Daniels has been a varsity standout since his freshman year, with Spencer joining him as a sophomore. This year, Spencer is the team's top receiver, top scorer, is second in rushing and is tied with his buddy for the team lead in interceptions.

Daniels is second in scoring, second in receiving, third in rushing and second in passing.

Both are speed demons, with Daniels displaying the extraordinary moves and jumping ability that has him on the national radar.

"The best thing DaVaris brings to the table is the fear he instills in opponents," said Monken. "Whether he's playing quarterback, running back or safety, he's someone the other team always has to be aware of. He can hurt you at any time with an amazing play. He's more showy than Evan. He can make the kind of moves that makes a defender fall down.

"Evan," Monken continued, "runs stronger with the ball. He's become much more physical. As a receiver he's excellent at going up and getting it ... at catching the ball away from his body."

Who's the faster of the two? According to the coach, Daniels wins the 40-yard dash, but Spencer takes the 100.

Daniels is also a standout on the basketball court, where he excelled at the varsity level last year as a sophomore.

"I'm trying to get him to come out for the team," Daniels said, motioning to his buddy.

Is Spencer any good?

The two answered simultaneously, with Daniels' "yeah" overlapping with Spencer's "nah," followed by laughter.

"Really," said Daniels. "He'd be a good shooting guard."

Hey, why break up a good team just because football season comes to an end?