Over the summer, Quinn Durkin discovered he was about to have his hands full as a sophomore starter on Sandburg’s varsity football team. A two-way starter for the Eagles, that is. Sandburg coach Troy McAllister asked Durkin, a running back, to get ready to play cornerback, despite his having very limited experience playing defense. “I just got that notice over the summer I was going to play defense,” Durkin said Friday night. “I wasn’t expecting it, but I’m willing to take on anything they give me on the field. “This is my first time ever playing corner.” Durkin looked like a defensive veteran as he helped slow down an explosive Lincoln-Way West passing attack. He also ran for a 4-yard touchdown as the Eagles topped the host Warriors 28-22 in a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox. Luke Basiorka ran for 148 yards and two TDs on 21 carries for Sandburg (3-1, 1-0), which won its first game in its new conference. Anthony Shelton completed 14 of 22 passes for 163 yards, including a 47-yard TD toss to Charlie Snoreck. Vincent Smith added a fumble recovery. Chase Hetfleisch completed 20 of 38 passes for 184 yards and two TDs, both to Austin Rowswell, who had six catches for 75 yards for Lincoln-Way West (3-1, 2-1). Nathan Elstner chipped in with an interception and a sack. Durkin often found himself matches up one-on-one with Rowswell or DeAndre Coates, both senior receivers with Division I offers. Sandburg’s Quinn Durkin catches a pass against Lincoln-Way West during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown) The sophomore who had never played corner before more than held his own. And it came as no surprise to McAllister. “He’s an unbelievable athlete,” McAllister said of Durkin. “When you watch him, he’s so natural and so smooth. He’s a great worker, so we knew he’d take that challenge on, and he’s really embraced it. “He does a really great job for us on both sides of the ball. He’s dynamic, and the more he’s on the field for us, the better it is.” Durkin said he put his all into becoming a strong defender. “I just want to put my team in the best position that I possibly can,” he said. “When they told me I was going to do that, I just worked as hard as I possibly could at playing cornerback.” Sandburg’s Luke Basiorka runs 89 yards for a touchdown against Lincoln-Way West during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown) Back at his more familiar position, Durkin delivered a 4-yard TD run in the second quarter and had three catches for 32 yards. He enjoys sharing the backfield with Basiorka. “I think me and Luke can both play and we have different styles, so it works out in our offense perfectly,” Durkin said. “Luke’s more of a power back, up the middle, gets those tough yards. “I’m a different kind of back. I just try to get out in space and make things happen, use my speed.” Durkin said two of his biggest inspirations are San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who are both known for their pass-catching abilities. “I like the way they play,” Durkin said. “Getting out of the backfield and making plays, running hard and fast with a physical style.” Sandburg’s Anthony Shelton (12) hands off the ball to Luke Basiorka against Lincoln-Way West during a Southwest Valley Red game in New Lenox on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown) Basiorka dashed for an 89-yard TD run in the third quarter that gave the Eagles a 28-10 lead. Lincoln-Way West rallied, however, pulling within 28-22 on Hetfleisch’s 3-yard TD pass to Rowswell with 1:03 left. The Warriors briefly appeared to have recovered the ensuing onside kick. But the Eagles emerged from the pile with the ball and ran out the clock. Basiorka was proud of his big performance. And his young backfield mate? “Quinn knows his stuff, but we work together every day,” Basiorka said. “He’s been out here on varsity since he was a freshman, which is crazy. “I think he’s going to be really good. I can’t wait to see how good he is.”