Jacob Tunstill couldn’t do much but watch last year when Kennedy put together one of the best seasons in program history.
Then a sophomore, he was playing quarterback in Week 3 against Marshall.
“First drive of the game, he ended up getting tackled, landed weird and broke his collarbone,” Crusaders coach Robert Albano told Southwest Regional at a summer workout.
Tunstill was hoping for the best.
“When I got injured, I didn’t know how big the injury was,” he told Southwest Regional. “I just knew I was out for the game. So I went to the hospital and they told me my season was basically over.
“I was very emotional in a way. I was just trying to go to many doctors … seeing how I could recover faster, how I could get on the field.”
Kennedy wound up going 7-3, winning the Public League White Southwest title and reaching the IHSA playoffs for the second time in program history.
Tunstill wasn’t able to return, but he attacked the rehab process.
“The season was over and all I did, once I recovered fully, I just got right back to work,” the 5-10, 150-pounder said. “I joined seven-on-seven, I was going to camps, reaching out to other coaches, personal trainers and stuff just to get better overall.”
Now he’s back with the Crusaders, playing his original — and preferred — position of slot receiver on offense.
“He didn’t want to play quarterback last year but he did,” Albano said. “He does whatever he can for the team. Phenomenal player, better kid.”
Having Tunstill back is big because the Crusaders graduated the bulk of their starters last season, including versatile team leader Jonathan Castro.
“He’ll be rolling both sides (of the ball),” Albano said of Tunstill, who’s also a cornerback. “Probably will be playing a lot of special teams, very similar to JC (Castro) last year. Kind of plays wherever I need him, steps up and will be leading the team.”
Tunstill is thrilled to be back on the field again after being a spectator last fall.
“I still showed up to every game on the sideline, trying to cheer them on and support them,” Tunstill said. “It was rough even seeing them win because I felt like I didn’t even contribute to it. When they made the state playoffs, that hurt even more because it felt like a big moment that I wanted to be part of. I wanted to help out as much as I can.”
This year, he’ll be able to do that. He also wants to change the way outsiders perceive Kennedy football.
“I think we’re just showing everyone that they’re wrong about us,” Tunstill said. “Everyone kind of doubts us in a way, even in our own school. Last season was just showing that we’re here and we ain’t trying to play games. We’re just as good as any of these other teams.”