Senior receiver Jeffery Bellik had to step in at quarterback for Sandburg after junior Sean Ruisz was injured during a Week 7 loss to Lockport.
Bellik finished that game as the quarterback and then got the start last week, running for two touchdowns and throwing for another in a win over Neuqua Valley.
This week, Ruisz was ready to go and Bellik was back at receiver. With a new perspective.
“They’re two completely different positions, but being at quarterback, it really gives me a better vision and definitely helps my game as a receiver,” Bellik said. “There’s really no downside.
“I’m always ready to step in when I need to.”
Bellik was ready to shine at his typical position as well on Thursday night. He proved it by hauling in a huge 44-yard TD catch from Ruisz to spark the visiting Eagles on their way to a 21-13 Southwest Valley Blue victory over Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort.
Ruisz completed 13 of 21 passes for 167 yards and three TDs for Sandburg (7-2, 5-2), which earned a share of the conference title. Quinn Durkin had a go-ahead 38-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter and Lucas Matykiewicz added a 25-yard TD catch. Luke Basiorka ran for 113 yards on 22 carries.
West Virginia recruit Vincent Smith and Beck Stukel each had an interception, while Jaden Weaver and Ugnius Zaukas both chipped in a huge sack for the Eagles.
Bellik, meanwhile, continued to impress Sandburg coach Sheamus Murphy with his versatility.
“Jeffery Bellik is arguably our most valuable player,” Murphy said. “The guy long snaps, he holds, he plays receiver and he plays quarterback. I think he does our team laundry.
“Anything we need done, he does it and says, ‘Coach, what else do you need me to do?’ So, it was so cool to see him finally get that big-time moment, because if there’s one kid who deserves it, it’s our senior captain, Jeffery Bellik.”
Senior quarterback Jonas Williams, a USC recruit, sat out for the Griffins for the second straight game with a foot/ankle injury. Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar said he’s “day to day.”
Sophomore quarterback Evan LeFevour completed 16 of 27 passes for 132 yards for Lincoln-Way East (7-2, 5-2), including a 19-yard TD to Washington recruit Blaise LaVista. Grant Urban made two field goals and Henry Bohms had two interceptions.
The Griffins led 10-0 until Ruisz and Bellik connected on a 44-yard TD pass late in the first half.
“It was awesome,” Bellik said. “Everybody got rolling. Everybody was up. It was a whole different experience. I loved it.”
Ruisz was Bellik’s biggest cheerleader when he stepped in at quarterback and led the Eagles to a 24-21 victory last week.
“That’s my brother,” Ruisz said. “I was like a proud brother on the sideline. As much as I hated being on the sideline watching, I didn’t fear one bit that the game was going to be any different with me not playing.
“Jeffery’s got the skill. He’s a team captain. He deserves to be a team captain. He’s a well-rounded athlete and he can play anywhere. Give credit where it’s due.”
Lincoln-Way East led 13-7 with 7:32 left when Ruisz hit Durkin for a 38-yard TD. Drew Drzonek converted the extra point to give Sandburg the 14-13 edge.
The Eagles were just trying to run out the clock when Ruisz launched the ball high into the air on fourth down. Matykiewicz ended up coming down with it in the end zone for an exclamation-point TD with a second left.
Bellik hopes Sandburg can use the big win as a catalyst for a deep playoff run.
“This is huge,” he said. “Now we have the possibility of getting a home game in the playoffs. Just to be able to have it at our own stadium would be so exciting.
“We’ve got a lot of momentum.”