In 2017 and 2019, Kyle Quinn played quarterback and led Lincoln-Way East to Class 8A state titles. He even threw five touchdown passes in a game against rival Lincoln-Way West.

But now, as a senior wide receiver for St. Xavier, Quinn is dangerous catching the ball. And senior quarterback Stuart Ross confirmed the converted QB has been a quick study.

“He’s fantastic,” Ross said of Quinn, who lives in Tinley Park. “He’s done nothing but work his butt off. He was a high school quarterback that turned into a starting receiver.

“He’s pretty incredible.”

Quinn delivered a pretty strong effort Saturday night, catching four passes for a team-high 78 yards and a TD. He also carried the ball twice for another 18 yards.

That helped the Cougars eventually edge longtime rival St. Francis for a 28-21 Mid-States Football Association Midwest victory in overtime at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Ross hit Brandt Hixson for 25 yards on the first play in overtime for St. Xavier (3-2, 1-0). Antonio Orozco then intercepted a pass in the end zone on the Saints’ first play of OT.

While St. Xavier moved up from No. 16 to No. 15 in the latest NAIA coaches poll, St. Francis (4-1, 0-1) fell from No. 13 to No. 17.

“It might have been the quickest overtime in sports history,” Ross said.

For Quinn, it’s been a mighty journey.

He began his college career with 17 catches for 143 yards and two TDs as a freshman, following with 23 catches for 200 yards as a sophomore and 33 catches for 361 yards and three TDs last year.

Although Quinn came to the Cougars ready to be a quarterback, things changed his freshman year. He was asked if he would consider a move to wide receiver.

“My whole life, I was a dual-threat quarterback, so I had the athleticism in me,” Quinn said. “The switch was different with the footwork. It’s a lot different out there running routes compared to dropping back and throwing the football.

“But for me, honestly, the adjustment was easy. I went out there and worked my butt off, making sure I was getting my routes down because it’s a big part of beating the defense every week.”

Quinn battled to beat defenses in the first four games this season, totaling a mere five catches. He broke out against the Saints, though.

One of his four catches Saturday was a 27-yard pass from Ross that forced a 7-7 tie with 14 minutes remaining in the first half.

Besides being a receiver, Quinn has thrown a handful of passes in his St. Xavier tenure, with three resulting in TDs. He also returns kickoffs.

“Kyle is invaluable to us,” St. Xavier coach Mike Feminis said. “He’s got a quarterback’s mentality. We can put him back there and do Wildcat stuff with him. He can throw the ball. He’s going to catch the ball and run the ball. He just does a lot of things for us.

“He’s one of the leaders on the team, and he’s a great kid and a playmaker.”

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Ross is also impressed with the number of skills in Quinn’s arsenal.

“Anything you need him to do, he can pretty much do,” Ross said of Quinn. “He can throw. He can run. He can block. Whatever you need, he’s there.”

Quinn said one of the toughest things as far as adjustments was battling on every offensive play in a game.

“When you go up against a guy head-up, you are working with a guy one-on-one all day long,” Quinn said. “You are trying to beat the guy in front of you every single rep.”

Overall, however, Quinn has taken a liking to the job.

“Obviously, it’s turned out really well for me,” he said. “I’m very thankful and blessed.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

Originally Published: Oct 02, 2023 at 8:01 pm