Lincoln-Way East’s Braden Tischer is a fan of the Netflix documentary series “Quarterback.”
Tischer, a senior quarterback, enjoyed the back stories of Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota and the glory, pain and prep work they had to go through in the NFL.
“That documentary says it all,” he said. “There is a lot of study and all of that tedious work. Like in the documentary, what I love most about it is seeing my teammates’ reaction when I’m behind the play.
“I like watching everyone downfield make plays — the celebration of the team. I love being in control and the camaraderie that comes with it.”
Tischer is back and ready to build on that camaraderie for the Griffins, who are No. 2 in the Daily Southtown’s preseason rankings. And he wants to climb one more rung on the ladder.
Last year, Tischer led Lincoln-Way East (13-1) to a Class 8A state runner-up finish, ending with a 13-3 loss to Loyola. For the season, he passed for 2,192 yards and 21 touchdowns and ran for 458 yards and four TDs.
At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, Tischer knows he isn’t the world’s most imposing figure.
“The young man is very cerebral, and he had a chance to keep improving, and that’s what he did,” Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar said. “You look at him in a hallway, and you might think he’s the water boy walking the hall as he is 5-foot-none, 100-none. Rudy, right?
“Then he plays 10-foot tall in games. It’s fun to watch him progress.”
Tischer said he finds the studying part of being a quarterback easier this year. He admits he studies film first and does his homework second on any given night.
“It’s important to study and look at opposing teams,” Tischer said. “You never want to go into a game unprepared.”
Tischer has picked up offers from Roosevelt, which will make the jump next season from NAIA to NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III Central College in Pella, Iowa. He also has interest from Drake, Dayton and Washington in St. Louis.
Tischer, who said he’s not bad with numbers, would like to major in business.
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One number that could make him an area legend for years to come is 99.
Tischer squirted out of a huge scrum for a 99-yard TD run on icy conditions in the fourth quarter of a 31-7 win over Glenbard West in the state semifinals.
It was just supposed to be a quarterback sneak to avoid a safety.
But offensive lineman Josh Janowski, an Iowa recruit, had other plans.
“He pancaked a guy and that opened up the hole,” Tischer said of Janowski.
“I snapped the ball and I was five yards down the field, and I turned around and this kid is running,” Janowski said of Tischer.
The video of the play took off on social media, with thousands of likes and views.
But Tischer couldn’t quite savor the moment.
“It was tough because I was trying to focus on my state championship week against Loyola,” he said. “I tried not to pay too much attention to it.
“Obviously, when people complimented me, I thanked them. But from that point on, I just moved forward and focused on the state championship.”
Another big honor he’s trying to keep low key is being named the Prep Redzone Class 8A Preseason Player of the Year after garnering more than 10,000 votes.
“It kind of came out of the blue,” he said. “I told my family and friends to vote, but to be honest, that’s not on the top of my mind. I’m focused on the practice and the season.
“I would much rather win player of the year at the end of our run.”
Quick Facts
Team: Lincoln-Way East.
2022 Record: 13-1.
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Offensive leaders: Braden Tischer, senior, quarterback; Josh Janowski, senior, offensive lineman; Mike Lombardo, senior, offensive lineman; Cade Serauskis, senior, wide receiver.
Defensive leaders: Conner Durkin, senior, inside linebacker; David Wuske, senior, defensive lineman; Caden O’Rourke, junior, defensive lineman; JT Poynton, senior, safety.
X-factor: Stephon Gist-Gardner, senior, cornerback/wide receiver/kick returner.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.