When Cory Stennis transferred this fall from Rich Township to Crete-Monee for his senior year, he was changing positions as well as schools.
Stennis played quarterback last season for the Raptors but switched to wide receiver for the Warriors, who had Joshua Franklin returning at quarterback after a huge 2021 season.
However, when Franklin got injured during a Week 2 game against Andrean, Stennis got the call to go back under center.
“It was out of nowhere,” Stennis said. “It was just a last-second thing. Josh’s shoulder was injured. I’m not going to lie, I was excited about playing quarterback again.
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“It was definitely a big difference going from receiver back to quarterback, but I just had to do what I was supposed to do and step up.”
Stennis struggled in that relief appearance against Andrean and the Warriors lost 30-28 following a season-opening defeat to Lincoln-Way East.
Since then, though, Crete-Monee (6-2) has won six straight games, with Stennis lighting things up offensively.
In Saturday’s 61-6 rout of Bloom, Stennis threw five touchdown passes and ran for two more — all in the first half.
“Obviously, quarterback is a tough spot and Cory’s done a great job,” Crete-Monee coach John Konecki said. “It’s not easy to take over that job, especially in the middle of the season.
“He’s got a high football IQ. Week in and week out, he continues to get better with the concepts and ideas we’re running. He’s a very good leader, too, which is really important in that particular spot.”
For the season, Stennis has completed 68 of 103 passes for 1,190 yards and 18 TDs while throwing just three interceptions.
“I watch a lot of film, study the defense and capitalize on that,” Stennis said. “We have a great line that gives us enough time. My receivers do what they’re supposed to do. They’re going to catch the ball.”
Stennis has a pair of Division I recruits at receiver.
Miami of Ohio-bound Lynel Billups-Williams has been one of the state’s most explosive playmakers for the second straight season. He has 58 catches for 1,198 yards and 16 TDs.
He also quickly formed a connection with Stennis.
“Cory and I have always been cool, so we had good chemistry already, but we’ve added a lot more now,” Billups-Williams said. “He’s easy to talk to. He knows where I’m going to be all the time.”
Franklin, meanwhile, returned to the field in Week 5 for the Warriors’ huge 48-42 win over Joliet Catholic, which snapped the defending Class 4A state champion Hilltoppers’ 24-game winning streak.
While the injury prevents him from playing quarterback, Franklin can play receiver — the position he is likely to play at Western Michigan.
He has 27 catches for 359 yards and six TDs in four games.
“Cory’s filling in that spot at quarterback,” Franklin said. “At first, I was a little bit down about it, but now it’s just like I’m at quarterback. He plays the same. Running, throwing, he does all that.
“At receiver, I just feel like when I’m on one side of the field, I bring a lot of attention and that opens up things for everybody else.”
Stennis is certainly grateful he gets to throw the ball to talented teammates.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “I have fast receivers. They catch everything. I just feel like we’ve got a bomb squad.”
What has been quite a roller coaster of a senior year for Stennis continues to work out.
“It’s been a long process, but it was definitely worth it,” he said. “The coaches are great, the players are great. I love being here at Crete-Monee and I love the team.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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