Libertyville senior quarterback Quinn Schambow’s right arm generated extraordinary amounts of completions, yards and touchdowns this past season.
The same arm is one of the reasons the 6-1, 210-pound Schambow, an elite catcher, is an Oklahoma State baseball recruit and has already hosted MLB scouts at his home.
Schambow’s future may lie in baseball, but when it comes to his right arm, the two sports go hand in hand.
“Throwing a football makes your arm stronger, so that’s been beneficial to me, and baseball has really helped football because it’s the same arm motion,” he said.
Schambow’s right arm was often in motion for the Wildcats (9-2), who averaged 38.8 points and won a share of the North Suburban Conference title this past season. Schambow, the 2024 News-Sun Football Player of the Year, completed 184 of 249 passes for 3,521 yards and 52 touchdowns with just five interceptions in his third season as the starting quarterback.
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“When you have someone as athletic as he is and the game slows down, that’s what can happen,” Libertyville coach Mike Jones said.
Schambow’s physical tools were obvious before he made his varsity debut. Jones recalls an early practice in summer 2022 when he told new offensive coordinator Danny Schaechter that Schambow wouldn’t be on the field that day. Schaechter had only heard about Schambow, who was out of town for a baseball commitment.
“When Quinn got back, we were running a 7-on-7 drill, and he (Schaechter) turned to me and said, ‘I see what you mean,’” Jones said.
But Schambow, who was named to the Class 6A all-state team by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, put it all together this past season.
“The biggest difference this year was his maturity,” Jones said. “Sophomore and junior year, things could get to him a little bit. But you never saw that this year, which is especially important at that position.”
Schambow, who credited his teammates for his success by saying it “wouldn’t be possible without them,” has a simple explanation for the part he played.
“It’s just a kid’s game. That’s how I look at sports in general,” Schambow said. “I’m a competitor, and I get angry like everyone does. But you don’t need to put any pressure on yourself. I tried to have fun and play freely. I didn’t have anything to lose, and I trusted my guys to make plays.”
Schambow made enough plays to fill a lengthy highlight reel. But one play in particular merited being viewed by the entire team. It showed Schambow’s reaction to throwing an interception early in Libertyville’s 43-17 win against Deerfield in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs.
“He got knocked down, got up and sprinted downfield to run the guy down at the 3-yard line,” Jones said. “That was the best play he made all year. It was an inspiring play. It showed the whole team the type of effort that’s needed.”
Schambow’s effort is another reason for his success.
“He’s always working and always doing something extra,” Libertyville senior receiver Sam Seth said. “He’s always the first one there and the last to leave. I don’t know how he does it. He’s got so much going for him. I’m excited to see where it takes him.”
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It apparently won’t take Schambow back to the football field. Libertyville’s 23-17 loss to Lake Forest in the second round of the playoffs was his last game in the sport.
“After the playoff game, I went to the middle of the field and sat there with my buddies,” he said. “I teared up a little bit, and it’s going to be sad not playing football anymore. But I know I gave it my all and did everything I could to make the team win. I had so much fun, and that’s what I’m going to think about.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.