Most athletes are familiar with the phrase “next man up,” but in Chase Hetfleisch’s case, it produced some angst.
It was only temporary, however.
He was next up in 2023 for the Lincoln-Way West football team, being asked to fill in for veteran Cole Crafton at quarterback to start the regular season when Crafton didn’t participate in enough preseason practices. Hetfleisch had only a week’s notice to get ready for the opener.
“I’ll be honest, I was really scared,” he said. “I was so nervous. But after the first snap and after the first play, all of that went away.”
The result was a 41-7 win over Plainfield Central. Crafton returned for a pair of games but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the third week, and Hetfleisch took over for the rest of the way.
Now, Hetfleicsh is an experienced senior for the Warriors, who come in at No. 7 in the Daily Southtown’s preseason rankings.
A year ago, he wasn’t sure how much playing time he would get behind Crafton, who was the starting quarterback in both 2021 and 2022 and also a baseball star who accepted a scholarship offer from Louisville. But as the backup, Hetfleisch stayed on top of things.
“I didn’t really know how the season was going to go,” Hetfleisch said. “I didn’t have high hopes. But I did all of the hard work that I could and ended up getting to start the first game.”
Standout wide receiver Austin Rowswell was impressed.
“Last year in Week 1, he showed himself that he can play,” Rowswell said of Hetfleisch. “He knows where to put the ball. He knows when to throw the ball. He knows my speed.
“He’s a great, great quarterback.”
With Hetfleisch at the helm, the Warriors (9-3) had one of their best seasons in program history, going a perfect 4-0 in the SouthWest Suburban Red. That came after a 3-6 finish in 2022.
Only three other Lincoln-Way West teams have won nine or more games, highlighted by a second-place finish in Class 5A in 2015.
Luke Lokanc, in his fifth year as coach, said his quarterback learned well on the job last year.
“He was put in a situation no one was expecting,” Lokanc said of Hetfleisch. “But our program philosophy is ‘next guy up.’ Nothing changes. Continue with our process. Continue to fight to win games.
“Chase overcame that and was obviously very successful. He was a junior who went from mop-up role to a starting role, and what got him over the top was wanting to compete and wanting to win.”
This year, expectations are higher for the 6-foot, 190-pound quarterback.
“Now, we have an experienced player at quarterback,” Lokanc said. “Jitters — out. He’s ready for that No. 1 leadership role, and he can process a game a lot better because of all the experience he had last year.”
Hetfleisch has two receivers on Division I radar screens in Rowswell and DeAndre Coates.
Rowswell wouldn’t comment on his recruiting, but Lincoln-Way West coaches indicated that Ball State, Akron, Eastern Illinois, Illinois State, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois and Lehigh have tendered him offers. Coates has an offer from Marshall.
Hetfleisch is getting college consideration as well, with Morehead State showing the most interest so far. He also gained notice from Hawaii Tiki Bowl officials, who invited him to play in their December event.
While Hetfleisch isn’t sure he will attend the Tiki Bowl, he wants the Warriors to be playing in late November for a state championship. Last year’s team made it to the Class 7A quarterfinals with a 40-14 win over Hoffman Estates and a 43-19 win at Collinsville before a 34-6 loss to Downers Grove North.
“We did the best that we could,” Hetfleisch said. “We all put our hundreds in. We all gave 100%. That was one of the best seasons ever with all of the memories.”
Team: Lincoln-Way West.
2023 record: 9-3.
Offensive leaders: Austin Rowswell, senior, wide receiver; Chase Hetfliesch, senior, quarterback; Joseph Segvich, senior, offensive lineman; DeAndre Coates, senior, wide receiver.
Defensive leaders: Josh Veldman, senior linebacker; Olin King, senior, defensive lineman; Nathan Elstner, senior linebacker/defensive end; John Ramos, senior, linebacker.
X-factor: Zach Hermanson, junior, kicker.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
