North Cook News

Nick Leongas' football journey began sooner than expected.

Leongas told the North Cook News that his earliest memory of football was his father signing him up for flag football a year early by lying about his age. That is just how much his dad wanted him to play the sport.

“I went out there and actually did really well," Leongas said. "I even remember running for a long touchdown."

Nick Leongas | Contributed photo

Years later, Maine South High School reaped the benefits of Leongas' talents when he led the Hawks to the 2016 Class 8A state football championship. Leongas had more than 100 yards both rushing and passing, and saved some of his biggest plays for when Maine South most needed them – in the Hawks' 27-17 win over top-ranked Loyola on Nov. 26 in Champaign.

“It was the greatest feeling I have ever experienced,” Leongas said. “We all worked so hard for this moment; we actually worked our whole lives for this moment. Constantly, we were doubted and never shown any respect, and we took that very personally. I think that we definitely proved them all wrong.”

That last statement is something Leongas personally has been doing for a while.

He said he has “never been the tallest quarterback." The Hawks' roster on www.maxpreps.com has Leongas listed as 5-foot-11, so he had to learn how to adjust.

“Since freshman year, I always worked on throw on the run and making sure I'm never comfortable in the pocket and have my eyes constantly looking for rushers while still looking downfield,” Leongas said.

It all came together in the fourth quarter of the championship game.

Early in the that period, with the game tied at 17, Leongas scored on a 17-yard draw play shortly after Maine South recovered a fumble. Maine South had a 24-17 lead after Leongas' run.

Then, with 5:36 left to play, Maine South got the ball on its own 33 and proceeded to run 5:12 off the clock before getting a game-clinching field goal. On the second play of the drive, facing second and 12 from the 31, Leongas completed two passes in a row, covering a total of 15 yards, then had three straight running plays that went for a combined 35 yards.

On the day, Leongas was 11-of-20 passing, for 124 yards and a touchdown, and rushed 20 times for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

“Overall, I think I played a pretty good game," Leongas said. "I am a little disappointed in my passing game and didn't perform as well as I wanted to in that aspect. I think that I made up for it in the run game. Overall, I think I just played a solid, smart game.”

With his high school career behind him, Leongas said he has not received any offers yet to play for college programs, but is talking with multiple schools and believes that will change.

“Football is something I want to continue pursuing,” he said.

And it all started with his dad getting him into the sport early on.

“He knew what football teaches a young kid, so he wanted me to join as early as possible, and I'm so happy he did,” Leongas said.