Senior quarterback Randy Ludke wants to finish what he has started for Tinley Park.
Each of his first two years orchestrating the offense for the Titans has ended with an injury for Ludke, who worked hard at coming back not only physically but mentally from those setbacks.
“I think what I learned both times is that injuries are not going to take me out,” he said. “What I learned the most about being away is just how important it is to me. I wanted to come back.
“I didn’t want to quit. I wanted to come back for my senior year.”
That comeback story continued Friday night for Ludke. He accounted for 172 yards, ran for two touchdowns and threw a TD pass in a 26-21 South Suburban Blue win over T.F. South in Lansing.
Sophomore running back Grayson Maloney added 124 yards on the ground and also scored the game-winning TD with four seconds left for Tinley Park (4-3, 2-2).
Ludke has scored 19 TDs this season, with nine coming through the air. His dual-threat abilities have opened up the offensive possibilities, but his mere presence is just as important.
His emotional resilience has sparked the Titans, according to senior guard Brendan Draves.
“I remember him getting hurt sophomore year,” Draves said. “That repeated itself last year, and he came back both times stronger than ever. It shows a lot about who he is as a person.
“He has a great work ethic and he’s great to be around. An offensive line always wants to love their quarterback, and he’s definitely somebody you always want to protect.”
Senior center Jude McCleish pointed out that Ludke has great command of the entire offense.
“I think one of his best qualities is the feedback he gives to the line, either about snaps or where the leakage is coming in,” McCleish said. “In the huddle, he always makes sure we’re lined up and in our spots.
“He’s just a hardworking guy. Last year he got injured against Lemont. He got up, kept working and now he’s doing really great this season.”
On Friday night, Ludke completed 9 of 14 passes for 101 yards and added 71 yards on 11 carries. Like a championship boxer, he brings a personality, drive and temperament to the game.
“I think I’m very tough, aggressive and I’m never going to shy from contact,” he said. “We run a spread offense, one back and four receivers, and I have the freedom to do whatever I want — sit in the pocket, run around and spread the field with all of our different formations.”
The Titans have dramatically improved their win total from last season when they finished 1-8. Having Ludke back behind center for his senior year has made a big difference.
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The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Ludke is somewhat chastened by his injury history. He remains aggressive on the field but is more calculated and instinctual now about taking hits.
“I feel like I could take a hit in any situation, but I’m not arrogant about it,” he said. “I know when to protect myself and when it is the right time to lower my shoulder.”
He brings the same moxie and competitive edge to basketball. Football is the family tradition, with his father and grandfather having played the sport. Four uncles on his mother’s side also played.
“My uncles played at Bremen and my dad played at Oak Forest, all district schools,” he said. “So it’s really cool every different school I go to, I see family names.”
Now, he hopes to write a different ending to his story.
“It’s funny I wasn’t really that serious about football when I was younger,” he said. “Just having fun in elementary and middle school. Now, I love to be in as much control as possible.
“I’m out there, running the offense, and it’s the most control you can have.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.