Sean Ruisz spent his first two years in high school watching Sandburg’s varsity football team from the sidelines in hopes that one day he’d be the next starting quarterback.
That night nearly got postponed as the junior started the week of Sandburg’s 31-9 win over rival Andrew on Aug. 29 again watching from the sidelines during practice while dealing with a shoulder injury.
While preparing his mind and body, Ruisz received a text from a familiar name on gameday that helped give him the extra motivation he needed. Those texts came from former Sandburg quarterback Anthony Shelton and his dad — Ruisz’ coach during his Orland Park Pioneer days.
“That family and their group helped me a lot,” Ruisz said.
Ruiz received a text from Anthony which read, “My boys know I would die for them every play. And that’s how I gained their respect.”
So just hours before kickoff, new Sandburg coach Sheamus Murphy gave Ruisz the starting nod.
And it paid off.
Ruisz connected with Quinn Durkin on a 80-yard pass for his first pass of the night which set the tone for the rest of the evening, propelling the Eagles to their season-opening win over Andrew.
Ruisz went 6 for 7 with two touchdowns, both to Durkin, a junior who had 160 receiving yards.
“We have the players,” Ruisz said. “It’s just me giving the ball to them. That’s my job. They are open, I need to make the reads and use my arm.”
Durkins was not the only one finding his way into the end zone for Sandburg. Senior running back Luke Basiorka finished with 17 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
Andrew coach Adam Lewandowski applauded the Eagles for their performance.
“My hat to Coach Murph, his staff, and his players,” Lewandowski said. “They played the game the way it is supposed to be played.”
This win gave the former Sandburg graduate his first win leading the Eagles.
Andrew senior lineman Troy Culbertson was active on defense making several tackles and a fumble recovery.
“We rely on him heavily, not only on the defensive side, but for what he brings as a leader,” Lewandowski said. “I’m looking for him to have a big week coming forward because he’s going to be motivated to do so.”
The Tbunderbolts’ lone touchdown came on a 1-yard run by quarterback Camden Maniatis, who finished with 76 rushing yards.
“Cam is a guy that can do a lot of things,” Lewandowski said. “He’s our leader.”
Murphy liked what he saw out of Ruisz and the offense, but also was eager to complement his senior lineman Jaden Weaver.
“He’s been locked in and did it show tonight,” Murphy said. “He took away their inside running game which they rely on.”
Ruisz respects the toughness shown by the Eagles defense throughout summer and leading up to opening night. He felt it helped them have the success they did have against Andrew.
“At practice, it’s head-to-head,” Ruisz said. “We are basically enemies, it’s Andrew-Sandburg but at practice. We want to make each other better.”