Most defensive players dream about what Lincoln-Way East’s Ryan Manzke did Friday night.
While the Griffins were posting a near shutout on the road, Manzke showed off just what it takes to score a touchdown. And the junior linebacker made sure to put on the finishing touches.
More Top Picks Water Purifier
“I was in my zone, I saw the ball and went up and I just snatched it,” Manzke said, recalling the memorable sequence. “Once I secured it, I wanted to get down. It was such a wonderful feeling.”
It was a feel-good night, indeed, for Lincoln-Way East.
Manzke led the way with six tackles and the interception return for a TD as the Griffins eased to a 38-7 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over host Homewood-Flossmoor in Flossmoor.
Senior running back Aidan Cavanaugh rushed for two TDs to pace Lincoln-Way East (3-0, 1-0). Junior quarterback Evan LeFevour threw an 18-yard TD pass to junior receiver Logan Martinez.
Junior wide receiver Xavier Pratt caught a 10-yard TD pass in defeat for H-F (2-1, 0-1).
Manzke, meanwhile, broke into the left flat and jumped the passing route for the 8-yard TD in the third quarter. Among those impressed was senior offensive tackle Mason Halliman.
“Ryan’s one of the most energetic players on our team,” Halliman said. “He’s definitely the wildest, the most energetic, and he carries that everywhere.”
Senior lineman Jimeto Okafor and junior defensive back Nate Walenga added interceptions as the Griffins, who also forced a fumble, throttled an H-F offense that was averaging 35 points.
Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar, who’s also Manzke’s position coach, saw signs last summer of a special talent.
“He started out like a backup but prepared every day like a starter,” Zvonar said. “He played every day with such a level of intensity and passion that it was hard not to find a spot for him.”
Manzke’s father, Matt, is the former boys basketball coach and current athletic director at Oak Forest. His cousins, Morgan and Maddie Manzke, were standout soccer players at Sandburg.
His brother Matthew, who is two years older, played point guard for the Griffins in basketball. Ryan, who is in his first year on varsity in football, knows what he has to do, too.
“I try to be very aggressive,” he said. “Run sideline to sideline and really pursue the ball. As long as I could remember, ever since I was little, I’ve had that nose for the ball.
“I like to read my keys and hit as hard as possible.”
More Top Picks Best Yukihira Nabe Pots
The Manzke and Zvonar connection runs deep. Ryan’s father coached Zvonar’s twin sons in a Mokena recreational league when they were young kids.
“I’m very competitive and I get that from my dad,” Ryan said. “He was a really competitive person. If I’m down, I really want to win, and that’s definitely something I got from him.”
He fell into football almost sideways.
“I got cut from the soccer team and just thought to myself I should try my hand at football,” he said. “Now, here I am.”
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Manzke displayed his intangibles, savvy and natural leadership Friday night. He developed his game and skills growing up with the Frankfort Square Wildcats.
Around the seventh grade, he recognized some of his innate talents. He has never looked back.
“As soon as I got here, I really wanted to be a leader,” he said. “From day one as a freshman, I wanted to be a face of this team.”
Manzke credited Zvonar for his intensity against H-F.
“Coach got on us the whole week,” he said. “It was a hot week and he was all over us. We persevered and got this amazing win. Not just me, all 11 guys. It was amazing to be a part of that.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.