Lucas Matykiewicz didn’t play football before starting high school at Sandburg. His mother wanted to protect him from injuries when he was younger.
But it hasn’t taken Matykiewicz long to blossom on the football field — and carve out a future in the sport. The senior receiver/tight end committed over the summer to Northern Illinois.
“Football is still new to me, but I’m starting to get it more and more,” Matykiewicz said. “This year, I’ve really been able to dig into the playbook and learn a lot about the Sandburg offense.
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“I feel ready to execute every play.”
Matykiewicz figures to play a big role in a veteran-led offense for the Eagles, who come in at No. 6 in the Daily Southtown preseason rankings.
Senior receiver/running back Quinn Durkin also locked in a Division I future over the summer, committing to Army. Senior quarterback Sean Ruisz is a returning starter.
It’s a dynamic trio with strong connections.
“Sean and I have been playing together a long time and I’ve known Lucas a long time with baseball and football,” Durkin said. “Seeing Lucas join football and become the player he has become has been awesome. All of us have a lot of confidence in each other.”
Growing up playing baseball and basketball, Matykiewicz expected to have a future in the former. But joining football quickly changed his perspective.
“I wanted to play baseball in college and even after college but it all changed freshman year,” Matykiewicz said. “Then sophomore year, when I got pulled up to varsity for football, I knew it was starting to get real.
“I started getting some looks from college coaches and I was like, ‘Yeah, this is my future.’”
All that was left to decide was the destination. Matykiewicz had a hectic spring, mixing in college football visits during baseball season and ultimately finding his home with the Huskies.
“There was a lot going on this spring but it was a blast,” Matykiewicz said. “Those were a fun bunch of guys on the baseball team and I’m going to miss that group. I also had to do a lot for football and my future during that time, so I had to balance all that, but it was great.”
Matykiewicz and Durkin helped the Eagles go on a big postseason run in baseball, winning their first sectional title since 2018.
Sandburg football coach Sheamus Murphy certainly loved watching that.
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“It’s great seeing our guys who are multisport athletes thrive and have success in other sports,” Murphy said. “We know it makes them better football players and competitors and they’re going to be prepared for big moments on the football field when they’ve gone through that in other sports.”
Matykiewicz sees it that way, too. The baseball run made him even hungrier to do big things this fall on the football field.
“Going deep in the playoffs, it gives you that competitive edge,” Matykiewicz said. “This football season, we’ve got to play every game like it’s our last. It’s senior year and we’re going to have a big season.”
Primarily a receiver so far in his Sandburg career, Matykiewicz expects to see a lot of time at tight end this season. That’s where NIU has told him he will play.
“I was in the weight room a lot in the offseason, building some muscle and getting bigger,” Matykiewicz said. “I know that’s what I’m going to do in college, so I want to get ready for it.”
Matykiewicz goes into his senior season with a new label — Division I recruit — and knows the target that comes with that. Bring it on, he says.
“I’m looking forward to that,” Matykiewicz said. “I want to face the best defenders out there and I just want to play and compete.”
Quick hits
Team: Sandburg.
2025 record: 7-3.
Offensive leaders: Stephen Caxton-Idowu, junior, lineman; Cade Koehler, senior, lineman; Lucas Matykiewicz, senior, receiver/tight end; Sean Ruisz, senior, quarterback.
Defensive leaders: Vinny Annel, junior, defensive back; Jake Drew, senior, defensive back; Zaid Masri, senior, linebacker; Todd Shelton, senior, linebacker.
X-factor: Quinn Durkin, senior, receiver/running back/kick returner.