Naperville Central’s Liam O’Donnell had a plan for his senior season.

Then the coaching staff asked O’Donnell to play on the offensive line. That was not what he had in mind.

“I played a little bit (on the offensive line) my freshman and sophomore years as I was needed, but mostly I’ve been on defense my whole football career,” O’Donnell said. “I can’t lie. I was a little bit disappointed.

“But you know what? I needed to do what was best for the team, and any way to get out on the field, I was going to take.”

So the 6-foot-2, 235-pound O’Donnell made the move to right guard, and he and the Redhawks have literally run with it ever since. He and another converted defensive lineman, junior tackle Danny Conway, have solidified the right side, turning a perceived weakness into a strength.

“In the beginning of the year, we weren’t really confident in what our offensive line was going to be,” Naperville Central senior quarterback Jack Cook said. “I was obviously a little worried, but once I saw Liam was out there, after that first couple practices I knew that I didn’t have to worry the rest of the year.

“He protects me the most. I have so much time in the pocket to make plays happen.”

O’Donnell was used to making plays as a defensive lineman. He was hoping to start at nose guard for Naperville Central’s terrific defense. But coach Mike Ulreich had other plans for him.

“He’s a great representation of being on a team,” Ulreich said. “We had three guys competing for the nose guard spot this summer, and then at the end of the summer we just felt like Jason Figg at nose and Liam and Danny on offensive line gave us the best chance as a football team.

“Both Liam and Danny probably both would have preferred to play nose guard, but they’re playing right guard and right tackle, and they’re a big part of everything we do. Liam just shows what it’s like to sacrifice for the team, and it’s paid off.”

O’Donnell has helped keep Cook upright — Cook has been sacked just three times — and keep junior running back Aiden Clark headed in the right direction.

“He’s done a really great job,” Cook said. “I know how much he loves the team and how much he loves me. No matter what position he plays, he always plays hard and makes sure that we win.”

The Redhawks (8-2) have done a lot of winning and head into a Class 8A second-round playoff game at Barrington (10-0) on Saturday with a balanced offense. Clark is coming off a 244-yard, four-touchdown performance against Downers Grove South on Friday, when the Redhawks controlled the line of scrimmage.

“Liam O’Donnell has really stepped it up since (a Week 3 loss to) Lockport,” Clark said. “His pulls have become a lot better, and he’s really just accepted being a dog on the offensive line. He’s laying kids out everywhere. It’s great as a running back to see a guy get laid out for you, instead of you.”

While a lot of kids can play on both lines, it isn’t an easy adjustment. O’Donnell credits his coaches and teammates, particularly Virginia-bound left tackle Grant Ellinger, for smoothing his transition.

“There’s a lot of difference,” O’Donnell said. “It was a learning curve, for sure. But Grant helped me out a lot. Obviously, Grant is an amazing football player. He showed me the ropes, taught me what I should and shouldn’t do — things like pad level, hands, all that.”

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But the key to O’Donnell’s success came down to something else entirely.

“Hitting people as hard as I can,” he said.

O’Donnell has always done that, according to Cook.

“Freshman year we went against each other,” Cook said. “It was pretty scary, especially as a freshman. He was already pretty big, too, so it was a little crazy.”

Now that he’s comfortable at right guard, O’Donnell doesn’t want his career to end. But it will soon. He said he isn’t going to play in college and will focus on studying to become an aviation technician so he can work on planes.

“This is it for me, so I’m trying to get as much out of this as I can,” he said. “I’m loving it. I’m having a great last year of football, and I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.