There’s a catch to Jake Wieclaw’s quest to become the greatest kicker in state football history.
You lead your team in receiving and rarely stress out about converting a game-winning field goal.
It works for Wieclaw, the All-State placekicker from Lincoln-Way Central whose 41 career field goals are four away from surpassing the state record of 44 set by Driscoll’s Rick Albreski in 2004.
The national high school record is 48.
Wieclaw’s 19 field goals last year (in 23 attempts) established a single-season standard, eclipsing Albreski’s 18 in ’03.
“I like playing wideout because I’m always running around and keeping my mind off the kicking,” said the 6-foot-2-inch, 175-pound Wieclaw, the Knights’ leading receiver last year who is on top again this season with 10 catches for 140 yards.
“I try and stay away from thinking about the record. It kind of messes you up in the head. That sure helped in our season opener.”
He referred to Lincoln-Way’s comeback from a 20-0 deficit at East St. Louis to win 30-27 in overtime on a 24-yard Wieclaw field goal.
The Knights improved to 2-0 last week with a 27-0 victory over Sandburg as Wieclaw caught five passes for 65 yards and kicked a personal-best 52-yard field goal.
“At East St. Louis, the coaches didn’t say much to us,” Wieclaw said. “The team captains and other leaders spoke up and pounded into our heads that we weren’t giving up. By the fourth quarter, (East St. Louis) was fading and we were coming on strong.
“That showed a lot of heart. There’s better chemistry on this year’s team. I think we’re going to go deep into the playoffs.”
There will be a playoff-type atmosphere Friday night for No. 18 Lincoln-Way Central when the Knights travel to No. 15 Bolingbrook.
“It’s going to be a dogfight because that’s a very good team,” said Wieclaw, who is drawing recruiting interest from Illinois, Purdue and Indiana. “We had (the Raiders) beat most of the game last year when they scored after a fake punt and came back to win.”
On Friday, Wieclaw once again will be the favorite target of quarterback Robbie Glielmi (28-for-42 passing for 415 yards and four TDs), son of Knights coach Rob Glielmi.
———–
bsakamoto@tribune.com
