Lincoln-Means West’s Jahan Abubakar by no means likes to dwell on the previous.
The 6-foot-2, 192-pound senior operating again prefers to remain current within the second. He delivers a propulsive model out of the backfield, and together with his imaginative and prescient, he stays open to each chance.
“I felt like in our recreation Friday, each time we received into the purple zone, we form of feared that,” Abubakar mentioned. “On the finish, we actually locked in and every part simply form of got here collectively.”
The South Dakota recruit constructed upon his blistering begin Friday in opposition to host Lockport, coming by way of with a 2-yard landing run with 11.6 seconds left to clinch a 21-17 nonconference win.
Abubakar rushed for 140 yards and two TDs to guide the Warriors (2-0), enhancing his season totals to 295 yards and 6 TDs.
“I simply felt like I needed to put the entire crew on my again and punch it in,” he mentioned. “I additionally felt crucial half was staying calm, believing within the coaches, the play calls and executing.”
Abubakar got here into his personal final season because the featured again after apprenticing below standout operating again Joey Campagna as a sophomore two years in the past.
In main the Warriors to a 7-4 report and the second spherical of the Class 7A state playoffs, Abubakar rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 9 TDs.
“I feel what we’ve seen thus far this yr is the pure development and continuity of a three-year varsity participant,” Lincoln-Means West coach Luke Lonkanc mentioned. “His highest quality is his character. He can mild up a room. He’s the emotional chief of the crew. He’s a vocal chief.
“As a participant, he has the scale and pace to interrupt something.”
Senior quarterback Grant Tustin felt the influence of Abubakar’s poised, cool nature Friday evening when Lincoln-Means West was looking for to beat the late three-point deficit.
“I threw an interception two drives earlier,” Tustin mentioned. “He helped maintain me calm and below management, and that allowed me to return out and get us a victory.
“One thing that I feel speaks volumes about his character is his willingness to do the issues that obtain no reward.”
On that 11-play, 70-yard drive, Abubakar didn’t have any dramatic runs. He simply grinded away.
“He needed the ball in his arms,” Tustin mentioned. “His will on that final drive was unmatched. He was stopped by a number of defenders on many alternative performs and nonetheless managed to get us yards.”
Enjoying operating again may be very a lot a mind-set, and Abubakar understands the bodily punishment he’s uncovered to as an inescapable a part of the method.
“I’ve performed operating again my complete life,” he mentioned. “I really feel prefer it’s simply me and who I’m. I like the flexibility. You’ll be able to run the ball. Catch the ball. You’ll be able to block.
“You are able to do all these several types of issues. I simply really feel prefer it’s an entire place.”
Jahan is the second oldest in a household of 4. His household is Creole. His mom, Angelique Stegall, is Haitian. His father, Muhammed Abubakar, is Nigerian. Each of his dad and mom arrived in the USA as younger youngsters.
He began taking part in the sport at age 5, studying the fundamentals taking part in for the Tinley Park Bulldogs youth program. His older brother, Joshua Banks, performed operating again at Andrew.
With the scale to run between the tackles and track-trained sprinter’s pace to interrupt across the edge, Jahan is constructed to make large performs for Lincoln-Means West. And he is aware of the rating.
Each operating again naturally creates a signature model.
“I feel the best way I run the ball is unquestionably completely different from a variety of backs,” Abubakar mentioned. ”I see it in the best way I learn the holes or make individuals miss in open area.
“I really feel like soccer is an artwork, and there’s no different sport prefer it.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a contract reporter for the Every day Southtown.
Initially Revealed:
