Lincoln-Way Central’s Michael Kuehl is cool with his role, but it took a few adjustments.
The senior quarterback was coming off an all-conference performance in the SouthWest Suburban Red, but the Knights went through a coaching change in the offseason.
With a commitment to the running game, Kuehl hasn’t been throwing the ball much, averaging nine passes a game. But with the team’s success, he’s embracing it.
“A lot of stuff has changed, but I think it’s for the best,” said Kuehl, who heated up to end the regular season. “It was tough for me to take at first, but learning to just accept it and putting the team first instead of myself has actually helped me play better.
“The thing I love about football is it’s a team game and you need everybody to make sacrifices for the good of the team if you want to win. Guys are putting their bodies on the line and none of us get paid for it, so it’s all about the love of the game.”
When called upon to pass, Kuehl has been effective for Lincoln-Way Central (8-1).
In the final two games, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Kuehl completed 20 of 22 passes with seven touchdowns for the Knights, including a big TD pass to Justin Bafia in the second overtime of Friday’s 42-41 SouthWest Suburban Red win at Bradley-Bourbonnais.
That gives host Lincoln-Way Central a boost of momentum heading into a 7 p.m. Friday game against Jacobs (6-3) in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs.
The Knights, who were 3-6 last year, are back in the postseason for the first time since 2018. Kuehl said he watched that team from the stands when he was in grade school.
The marathon win over the Boilermakers, which Kuehl called “an electric game,” has the Knights even more energized. They lost 28-21 to Lincoln-Way West in OT on Sept. 15, their only setback, and they were determined not to let that happen again.
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“We had been in that situation before,” Kuehl said. “And after we lost that West game, there was never any doubt amongst any of us that we weren’t going to lose that game.”
But the Knights can’t get too hyped after that thriller.
“Coming off a game like that, it’s important we settle down and focus on this week,” Kuehl said. “We have to put that win in the past.
“It was obviously a great win, but we’re focused on Jacobs right now. We have to put those emotions to bed.”
First-year coach Dave Woodburn appreciates the part Kuehl is playing.
“We became this run, run, run, run, run team and Mike accepted the role,” Woodburn said. “He did what he was supposed to do. And then he completed some passes here and there.
“If you look at his numbers in the last two games, he’s come up huge for us. It’s pretty impressive to watch a guy like this do what he’s asked to do on a daily basis.”
Many skill position players thank their offensive lines, but Kuehl has the numbers to back up his love for Owen Perez, Colin Welsh, Alex Huscher, Ethan Toosley and Chris Biel.
“I’ve only been sacked twice this season,” Kuehl said. “And I was probably sacked 25 times last year. I’m lucky to have those guys. They are a ton of studs.”
Since Koehl isn’t sure if he will play football beyond high school, he wants to make the most out of this playoff opportunity.
“We’re going in loose,” Kuehl said. “We have nothing to lose. We’re playing well. Just keep it rolling — see what happens and see how far we go.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.