When things went sideways for him last year, Marist’s Luke Detampel didn’t waver.
Now a senior, Detampel was the heir apparent at quarterback in 2024. But he had to suddenly shift gears and accept a reserve role with the arrival of Lincoln-Way East transfer Jacob Ritter.
“I definitely took it all in and learned a lot,” Detampel said. “I had a good relationship with Jake. He helped me a lot about the mental part and how you have to be willing to make mistakes.
“You have to be able to bounce back and have that short term, or quick, memory. Even when you make a bad play, you have to get to the next play.”
And for Detampel, an Orland Park native, it also has been about moving on to the next season for the RedHawks (9-2) — who clock in at No. 5 in the Daily Southtown preseason rankings.
This time, though, Detampel is the undisputed leader of the offense. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he has demonstrated savvy, feel for the game and commanding physical capabilities.
“Luke is a super-talented kid who honestly would have started for a lot of teams,” Marist coach Mike Fitzgerald said. “It showed the character he has, how team oriented he is, when Jake came here. His talent is off the charts. His mind is very cerebral. He’s like another coach on the field.
“I know he’s thinking how I’m thinking. He’s not just a pocket passer. He’s a tremendous athlete who’s done a lot to improve his speed and can make any throw on the field.”
While the RedHawks suffered significant graduation losses on offense, Detampel has a clear advantage heading into this season. He’ll operate behind a dominant line that features two Division I tackles in Purdue recruit Rico Schrieber and New Mexico commit Danzel Newell.
“We don’t have as much experience skill-wise as the past, but the offensive line has a lot of returning guys,” Detampel said. “I think we’ve handled it well and we’re starting to come together.
“We have some young guys and that’s a bit of a challenge, but we’re definitely getting them on the right page of what we’re trying to do. We’re on the right path.”
Senior receiver Marty Donahue is likely to be one of Detampel’s top targets. They’ve been close friends since their freshmen year but can look back on head-to-head clashes in grammar school.
“Luke is a great leader for our team, on and off the field,” Donahue said. “He’s open to learning new things from our coaches and he brings a positive attitude to practice. His personality is very outgoing, he’s a great friend, and that helps him build connections.
“We have great chemistry. He helps with the playbook, the weight room or on the field. He holds everybody accountable, and that helps build trust in him.”
Detampel’s older brothers, Jack and Ben, played played receiver for Marist. Whether at golf or in pickleball, he’s a natural competitor who seeks out the opportunity to prove himself.
“They definitely influenced me, and I followed their footsteps and wanted to come here,” Luke said of his brothers. “I also want to make my own mark and have a great season.
“At Marist, the quarterback runs a lot and you have to be able to do both with my feet and my arm. I’m an accurate thrower and I have good zip across the middle. I definitely know how to read defenses very well. No matter what, I’ve always embraced the challenge.”
Quarterback is both a position and state of mind. Detampel has played the part since third grade.
“The intangibles for a quarterback are very important,” Fitzgerald said. “His confidence is excellent. Jake went down in the playoffs against Loyola, (Luke) came in, and we threw the football. He wasn’t rattled. That’s how much confidence we had. He kept a drive going.
“He doesn’t get too high or too low. He knows how to get to the next play. As a quarterback, you can’t live in the past and you can’t look in the present. You have to be living in the moment.”
Quick hits
Team: Marist.
2024 record: 9-2.
Offensive leaders: Luke Detampel, senior, quarterback; Kevin Bartolotta, senior, running back; Rico Schrieber, senior, offensive lineman; Danzel Newell, senior, offensive lineman.
Defensive leaders: Patrick Wynn, cornerback; Tommy O’Brien, senior, defensive lineman; Michael O’Connor, senior, defensive lineman; Marquis Steel, junior, linebacker.
X-factor: Tommy Hosty, junior, safety/punter.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.