Lemont running back Nate Wrublik spent most of the first half of his junior season last year on the bench watching all-state running back Albert Kunickis.
Then Wrublik broke his ankle in Week 5, assuring he would watch the rest of the season from the sideline.
“I got overall only around 20 carries in the season,” Wrublik said. “It kind of stunk, but I stayed positive about it. Even when I broke my ankle, I kept a positive attitude about it.”
Now a senior, Wrublik is finally getting his chance. And he’s making the most of it.
Wrublik continued his big year Thursday night, running for 169 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries as Lemont wrapped up a perfect regular season and clinched the South Suburban Blue title outright with a 49-6 win over host T.F. South in Lansing.
Payton Salomon completed 10 of 14 passes for 169 yards and three TDs — all in the first half — for Lemont (9-0, 6-0). Luke Wallace had four catches for 85 yards and a TD, plus a 60-yard punt return for a TD.
Christian Streeter threw a 76-yard TD pass to Brandon Woods for T.F. South (3-6, 2-4).
After breaking his ankle last season, Wrublik tried out another sport in the spring to stay active.
“I ran track to get the hang of running again on my ankle and to get everything moving,” Wrublik said. “By the time football came around, I was 100%.
“Track helped me out a lot. I ran five days a week. It got me in great running shape and helped my speed.”
Wrublik ran for TDs of 22 and 4 yards in the first half. For the season, he’s reached double digits in TDs and has gone over 1,000 yards.
“Nate’s worked for it,” Lemont coach Bret Kooi said. “I think he’s got tons more in the tank. I think we could put a saddle on him and ride him for some time, but we’re able to do other things.
“He’s had a pretty special year. I’d love to say it surprised me, but it hasn’t. He’s worked his butt off to get where he is.”
Wrublik confirmed he was a bit nervous entering the season replacing Kunickis, who walked on at Northwestern.
“At the start, I was like, ‘I have to step up this year’ and that pressure was kind of hitting me,” Wrublik said. “The first game, I had around 250 yards rushing and my confidence was high after that. That helps me play better.
“When I have confidence, I feel like I can run harder and better.”
Salomon was always confident in Wrublik.
“I played youth football from kindergarten to eighth grade with Nate,” Salomon said. “With Al, those are big shoes to fill, but I knew Nate was going to be able to do it. I’m proud of that kid.”
In taking down T.F. South, Salomon threw TD passes of 11 yards to Illinois State recruit Nick Hawkins and 25 yards to Dylan Swanstrom.
Jack Lyons had a sack and a tackle for loss and Nathan Kunickis had an interception to lead the defense for Lemont, which opened up a 42-0 lead before halftime.
“We just wanted to start out fast and not give them any breath,” Lyons said. “We wanted to make them go three-and-out every time.
“It’s awesome to go 9-0, but now the real fun starts.”
Kooi, a T.F. South graduate, was honored by his alma mater before his final regular-season game. Kooi plans to retire at the end of the season.
Salomon said Kooi’s players were going to make sure he got the win.
“It’s always more than just football,” Salomon said. “Everything has a meaning to it. It means everything to go 9-0 and get that last win here for him.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
