Quinn Schambow, the senior quarterback from Libertyville, had an extraordinary season. His right arm generated remarkable amounts of completions, yards, and touchdowns. This same arm is one of the reasons he is not only a standout in football but also an Oklahoma State baseball recruit, having hosted MLB scouts at his home. The two sports seem to go hand in hand for him.

Throwing Football and Baseball: A Symbiotic Relationship

Throwing a football indeed makes one's arm stronger, and this has been highly beneficial to Schambow. At the same time, his baseball skills have enhanced his football abilities as the arm motion is similar. His right arm was constantly in motion for the Wildcats, who achieved great success this past season. With an average of 38.8 points and a share of the North Suburban Conference title, Schambow's performance was outstanding. He completed 184 of 249 passes for 3,521 yards and 52 touchdowns with just five interceptions in his third season as the starting quarterback.The physical tools of Schambow were evident even before his varsity debut. In summer 2022, during an early practice, when new offensive coordinator Danny Schaechter heard about him being out of town for a baseball commitment, he initially didn't expect to see Schambow on the field. But when Schambow returned and they were running a 7-on-7 drill, Schaechter realized the talent.

Seasonal Maturity and Performance

The biggest difference this year was Schambow's maturity. In his sophomore and junior years, things could get to him a bit. But this season, he remained composed and focused, especially at the quarterback position. His ability to handle pressure and make decisions was remarkable.Libertyville quarterback Quinn Schambow celebrates after a North Suburban Conference win at Stevenson on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. His success was not only due to his individual skills but also his teamwork. He credited his teammates for his success, saying it "wouldn't be possible without them." He saw sports as a kid's game and approached it with a competitive spirit, getting angry like everyone else but not putting too much pressure on himself. He played freely and trusted his teammates to make plays.

A Memorable Play and Effort

One play in particular stood out. In Libertyville's 43-17 win against Deerfield in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, Schambow threw an interception but showed remarkable effort. He got knocked down but got up and sprinted downfield to run the guy down at the 3-yard line. This was the best play he made all year and inspired the whole team with his determination and effort.His effort is another reason for his success. Senior receiver Sam Seth described him as always working and doing something extra. He is always the first one there and the last to leave. His dedication and hard work are evident, and it's exciting to see where it takes him.Although Schambow's last game in football was Libertyville's 23-17 loss to Lake Forest in the second round of the playoffs, he left a lasting impression. After the game, he went to the middle of the field and sat with his buddies, tearing up a bit as he realized the end of his football career. But he knew he had given it his all and made every effort to make the team win. He had a lot of fun and that's what he will remember.Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.