Back in the fold, Sandburg’s Vinny Annel felt so empowered that he went for the encore.
The junior safety parlayed a big play on special teams into a signature action while playing in the secondary. Even more impressive was the fact that Annel didn’t even get in a full week of work.
“I didn’t practice the last two days out of precaution after injuring my knee a little bit,” he said. “I had a lot of energy built up. I knew I had to make the most of my opportunities when I got in there.”
Annel was all over the place Friday night for the Eagles.
He set up both touchdowns for host Sandburg, blocking a punt and making an interception during a 38-17 SouthWest Suburban Conference setback against Lincoln-Way East in Orland Park.
Senior quarterback Sean Ruisz added on a 9-yard TD run and threw a 36-yard pass to senior wide receiver Lucas Matykiewicz to lay the groundwork for the second TD by the Eagles (3-2, 0-2).
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Annel, meanwhile, finished with six tackles. He also ran three times for 12 yards, caught two passes for 11 yards and fielded a kickoff return.
“What I like to say is that Vinny is our Avenger,” Ruisz said. “He does everything the coaches ask him to do. He’s a great player who is very well rounded and plays any role or job on the field.
“He’s a big reason for our success in every way.”
Senior defensive back Jake Tomczak suffered a season-ending injury in a Sept. 11 game against Homewood-Flossmoor. That necessitated Annel moving from linebacker to safety.
“He’s just a jack-of-all-trades who grinds each and every day to get the team to winning places,” Tomczak said. “He’s an aggressive and smart football player, knows the game inside and out.
“He’s one of the hardest workers we have on defense.”
With Army recruit Quinn Durkin sitting out the game, Annel had a greater role in the backfield. He also lined up in the slot at receiver. On defense, he toggled between linebacker and safety.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Annel has the versatility, size and range to impact the game in multiple ways.
“Coming into the season, the coaches told me I’d be playing more offense,” he said. “I had to be prepared and in condition to play both ways and also factor on special teams.
“I want to bring that drive in any way I can, not take plays off and be able to play at 100% on each and every play for offense, defense and special teams.”
Sports have been a central and intrinsic part of growing up for Annel, who played varsity as a sophomore last year in both football and basketball. His older sister Vanessa, now a freshman at Iowa, played tennis for Sandburg and qualified for state last year in singles.
The most significant influence was his father Vince, who was his coach with the Orland Park Pioneers. Vince was a three-sport high school athlete who played football in college at Knox.
“My dad helped me fall in love with the game ever since I was little,” he said. “We’d watch NFL and college games and he’d explain what it meant. I kept watching and kept playing after that.”
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Annel has the same competitive zeal of his father. He’s drawn to the collective experience playing football, but also likes the quiet and solitude by going on hikes and spending time in nature.
“I love to work out, but mostly I prefer to be in my own zone and just relax,” he said. “I’m definitely more calm and quiet. As soon as I get out on the field, that emotion is brought out of me.
“It’s a very natural thing.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.