Be ready.
Senior quarterback Quintin Rink knows that’s the goal for him and every other backup for Yorkville. The next-man-up philosophy every coach in football espouse, no matter the level, is real.
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Wins and losses hang in the balance when a starter goes down with an injury. Eight weeks into the season on senior night, Rink got the call and proved without a doubt he’s been paying attention.
“It’s unfortunate — it’s a position you can only play one player,” Foxes coach Dan McGuire said. “We’ve always felt quarterback is one of our stronger positions for this team this season.
“Quintin proved that (Friday). We had no hesitation for him to come into that game at all.”
Entering midway through the third quarter of a 7-7 game, Rink directed host Yorkville on two straight touchdown drives for a 21-7 Southwest Prairie West victory over Oswego East.
Rink completed 5 of 5 passes for 84 yards, including a 4-yard TD to senior running back Gavin Geegan that gave the Foxes (4-4, 1-3) the lead for good and an 11-yard TD to senior receiver Joel Castillo.
“I think he deserves a ton of credit,” McGuire said of Rink’s performance. “Being a senior, obviously, he would like to play more. He’s never pouting or blaming anyone.
“His attitude has been, ‘It is what it is. When I get my turn, I’m gonna prove it.” He did just that.”
Junior starter Max Delgado took a hit as he released an incomplete pass midway through the quarter and sustained a lower body injury. He gingerly walked off the field and did not return.
Rink had seen action in all seven previous games, completing 3 of 5 passes for 79 yards and running five times for five yards and a TD.
“The plan at the beginning of the year was to split time,” Rink said, realizing all plans are made to be broken. “Max was always gonna be the running quarterback and I was supposed to be the passing. Max did well and they decided to stick with him, and I got in every once in a while.
“He won the job, but I went to practice every day like it was the same and I was the starter. I kept my head up. You never want to see anyone get hurt, but I got my chance and made the most of it.”
The teams played through a scoreless half that featured a missed 25-yard field goal attempt for Yorkville, which turned the ball over once on downs. Defensively, the Foxes forced two turnovers on downs by Oswego East (3-5, 0-4), which also has had its share of injuries.
Sophomore tailback Jeremiah Gbean ran for 89 yards for the Wolves, who have a pair of running backs in senior Ty’Rel Thomas and junior Obadiah Carlson sidelined by torn ACL injuries.
Castillo, meanwhile, sparked Yorkville by returning the kickoff to start the third quarter 96 yards after taking a handoff from teammate Dillon Viscogliosi for his second kick return TD in two weeks.
“I’ve been returning here four years and never been able to take one to the house, but I’ve been close a few times,” Castillo said. “Give credit to all the guys up front who create those lanes.”
There was some confusion on the play, however.
“They line-drived the kick and I ran toward Dillon to make sure he had it and he handed it to me, thinking I wanted the ball,” Castillo said. ”He thought I was calling for it. I thanked him, though.”
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Castillo also praised Rink afterward.
“Unbelievably proud of that kid,” Castillo said. “It says a lot to come in there in Week 8, not have your head down. I think he did an insane job. It really showed he’s deserving of this moment.
“He went out and executed.”