At the very least, Chicago Christian’s Emmett Van Dellen pointed out that he was operating in the perfect ecosystem for executing an incredibly important switch due to injury.
The junior receiver/cornerback made his first career start at quarterback. And like the Chicago Bears winning big with Case Keenum, it worked out extremely well for the Knights.
“All of the wide receivers are my friends,” Van Dellen said of his ease in making the move. “I practiced with them the whole summer because I thought that was going to be my position.
“Even with the sudden shift at quarterback, I never lost my connection with them.”
Van Dellen showed off that connection Friday night, throwing three touchdown passes and adding a pair of interception return TDs in a 54-8 Chicagoland Christian Conference win at St. Edward.
It was a virtually flawless performance by Van Dellen, who competed 10 of 11 passes for 165 yards to lead the Knights (3-3, 2-2). He now has six TDs. He also has made seven interceptions.
“Emmett has risen to the occasion every step along the way,” Chicago Christian coach CJ Cesario said. “Whatever we’ve asked him to do he’s done with the best attitude and confidence.
“He’s just a gamer with a high athletic IQ.”
Van Dellen is the youngest of four brothers to play football for the Knights. Eddie, now a sophomore receiver at Calvin, was a two-way standout for the 2024 Class 2A state champions.
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Eddie saw a fiery, competitive streak in his younger brother at a precocious age.
“I think him being the youngest shaped him into who he is today,” Eddie said. “I remember we were formally dressed at a graduation party and he was telling me he could beat me one-on-one.
“It wasn’t the time or place, but there was a basketball court at the house and he insisted. We ended up playing an intense game to 11 in the driveway of the party dressed really nice.”
Emmett Van Dellen, a freshman reserve on the state championship team, saw limited action at the end of blowouts.
“We had a lot of those games and it was amazing even though I didn’t play much,” he said. “I got to practice going up against state champions every day and that made me better.”
He also learned an invaluable lesson last season. Heavy graduation losses and a series of injuries underscored the difficulties of a small school like Chicago Christian repeating its success.
The Knights fell from a 14-1 record to 3-6.
“I went from the highest high to the lowest low, and going through all the injuries was very hard,” Van Dellen said. “It was also good seeing that because I saw what it takes to be a good team.
“I saw the culture you need to have a good team and the culture of a team that is not as good.”
Taking over at quarterback last week was another challenge for Van Dellen.
“The coaches let me ease into the position because they know it’s hard,” he said. “We started with the run and some early screen passes and just built my way up to the more difficult passes.”
Tall, agile and rangy, the 6-foot-3, 155-pound Van Dellen believes football isn’t even his best sport. He was a starter in basketball last winter, flashing athleticism and shooting as a guard/forward.
“Each sport helps the other,” he said. “The physicality in football helps translate to basketball. Every time I see someone drop a pass in basketball, I always think they should’ve played football.”
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Van Dellen has caught three TD passes and thrown three TD passes and also scored three times on interception returns.
“Scoring a touchdown or hitting a 3-pointer is my greatest thrill,” he said. “I like spreading the love, with two people getting one touchdown, so I guess I prefer throwing or catching over a pick six.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.