2021 Chicago Sun-Times High School Football Player of the Year: Brother Rice’s Jack LauschMichael O’Brienon December 3, 2021 at 3:17 pm

Brother Rice’s Jack Lausch (8) runs the ball against Mount Carmel. | Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Jack Lausch wasn’t on the shortlist of Player of the Year candidates in the preseason. His excellence took most of the area by surprise. That wasn’t the case at Brother Rice.

Jack Lausch will always be a hero to the throngs of grade school kids that lined the field at Brother Rice football games this season.

The gifted, exciting athlete that lives in your community, that you watch up close every week is a special thing for young sports fans. It’s more tangible and accessible than any star on television.

Lausch, the Sun-Times Player of the Year, was once one of those kids. He’s a Beverly resident that attended St. Barnabas School.

“I remember going to games and watching [Brother Rice quarterback] Dino Borelli,” Lausch said. “He’s a coach here now, I remember all those guys and how good they were.”

Lausch’s numbers this season were eye-popping. He was 164 for 269 passing (61%) for 2,447 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Lausch was a deadly threat on the ground with 142 carries for 1,084 yards and 21 touchdowns. He averaged 7.6 yards per carry.

Lausch asked that his offensive line be mentioned by name.

“Zak Bowden, Carter McAlilly, Jackson Judeh, Jack O’Connell, Pat Galeher, Jack Mallon,” Lausch said. “Nothing is possible without those guys.”

As usual, the statistics don’t tell the whole story. It was the thrills Lausch provided that made him special. The 70-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter of The Battle of Pulaski against Marist was electric, a true rarity for a quarterback in a high-level CCL/ESCC Blue game.

Lausch wasn’t on the shortlist of Player of the Year candidates in the preseason. His excellence took most of the area by surprise. That wasn’t the case at Brother Rice.

“I had high expectations for Jack,” Brother Rice coach Brian Badke said. “When kids that are true leaders work hard they are going to be successful. It did not surprise me one bit that he’s Player of the Year. It didn’t surprise me that he threw for 20 touchdowns and ran for 21.”

Lausch also racked up impressive numbers off the field in two key areas. He’s number two in his class academically and he was the student that the most kids requested to follow on Brother Rice’s shadow days with junior high kids. The school doesn’t keep track of that stat, but multiple sources say Lausch may be the most requested ever.

“There was definitely someone every week,” Lausch said. “But that’s cool. It’s fun to help the younger kids see what Rice is all about and helping the next classes be strong. It was fun to give those kids a good day.”

Lausch’s dad John played football at Joliet Catholic and Harvard. His mother, Mary, played volleyball at Mother McAuley and Wright State. Lausch currently plans to head to Notre Dame as a preferred walk-on for football and baseball.

Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times
Brother Rice’s Jack Lausch (8) gets ready to face Wheaton-Warrenville South in the first round of the Class 8A state playoffs.

Brian Kelly’s departure from Notre Dame was a shock to Lausch.

“It’s still Notre Dame though,” Lausch said. “The program will be fine. I’m excited for the future.”

Lausch is still open to other college opportunities.

“If there is a school that comes and says ‘we need a quarterback’ And it is a high academic school with a great program he’s going to consider that,” Badke said. “Obviously, Notre Dame is Notre Dame. But if someone says we have a football scholarship. He’s going to listen. It has to be the right fit though.”

Lausch plays centerfield and pitches on the baseball team and he plans to join the basketball team as soon as an injury he picked up against Mount Carmel in the quarterfinals.

“I loved [Brother Rice] growing up and coming to games,” Laush said. “It was so exciting. I felt like this was the place where I could be myself and succeed the most. I’ve loved every minute I’ve spent here and I’m excited for the rest of the year.”

Brother Rice finished the season 10-3. The Crusaders were favored to win Class 7A but were upset by eventual champs Wheaton North in the semifinals. Lausch was unable to run against the Falcons due to his thigh injury. That severely limited Brother Rice’s offense.

Lausch says he didn’t watch the state championship games. Things were still a little too raw.

Unlike some high-level high school athletes, Lausch has a clear plan for when his playing days end. He wants to join the front office of a pro sports team and eventually become a general manager.

“Jack is a special young man,” Badke said. “This is just the tip of the iceberg for him. He’s going to go on and do great things after Brother Rice.”

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