Quintin Rucker, a tight end/defensive end on the Lawrence High football team, is eager to add to the storied LHS football tradition. He has been elected - unanimously - as a captain by his teammates.

Lawrence High’s Quintin Rucker is well aware of the storied tradition that surrounds LHS football.

He knows about the state titles, the memorable comebacks and the whole heart-of-a-Lion philosophy.

He grew up attending games at Haskell Stadium and remembers watching the great players of the past and dreaming about one day being out on the field as one of them.

But as he prepares to kick off his senior season in red and black, he’s trying to change a little history of his own. After wearing Nos. 36 and 32 during the past two seasons, Rucker is switching back to his junior high number – 47.

He last wore 47 as a ninth-grader at South Junior High, but fractured his lower back early in the season and was out of action for several months. Rather than sulking and feeling sorry for himself, Rucker went to work. He vowed to come back stronger and worked relentlessly to recover.

“Being injured brought out the best in me,” Rucker said. “Before that year, I treated football like it was no big deal. I took it for granted. I’m a little superstitious about the number. I don’t want it to ruin me, but I want to wear it to remind me that every game could be my last. I want to take advantage of every opportunity that’s given to me.”

So far, so good in that department. Rucker attended each of the 34 weightlifting sessions held by the Lions this summer, often showing up first and leaving last. That dedication and commitment made an impact on his teammates, and they showed their appreciation by electing Rucker a team captain at the end of summer weights. Each member of this year’s varsity football team wrote Rucker’s name on his ballot. Just the thought blew his mind.

“There are 1,000-some kids in our school, and 50-some guys on the football team, and they chose me to lead them,” Rucker said. “It’s an overwhelming feeling. I can’t believe it, and I’m truly honored.”

He’s also deserving. At least, that’s the way LHS coach Dirk Wedd sees it. Wedd describes Rucker as a the kind of player coaches dream about coaching.

“He is the epitome of a Lawrence High football player,” Wedd said.

Wedd confirmed that stance by sharing a story from the Lions’ first-round playoff victory over Blue Valley North last season.

“During that game, Quintin’s hand was stepped on by a cleat in the first half,” Wedd said. “He came off the field, he was bleeding everywhere, and he had a pretty good gash. But he threw some tape on it and went back into the game. Then, after getting eight or nine stitches in the locker room at halftime, he wound up catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter that helped us win the game.”

Rucker remembers the catch, but not because the sting of the pass against his wounded hand sticks in his mind. He remembers it because it was one of two receptions he had all of last season.

As a two-way player at tight end and defensive end, things don’t figure to change much this season in terms of Rucker’s offensive statistics.

“Our tight end is huge as far as our running game goes because we run so much,” Wedd said. “We’ve had some really good tight ends here in the past, and Quintin fits right in with that group.”

That’s just fine with Rucker. He likes to fit in. He cherishes being part of a team. And he’s happy to put the good of the team first, second and third above his own accomplishments, which could be numerous this season.

The senior captain has added strength and muscle to his already chiseled frame. He’s also faster this year, and he has dropped 19 pounds from last year’s playing weight. At 6-foot, 221 pounds, Rucker figures to be rough, tough and quick enough to be a force on both sides of the ball.

“I just want to go out there and play my heart out, that’s all,” Rucker said. “I’m happy playing both offense and defense. I just like playing. And I love hitting.”

Wedd is counting on Rucker to deliver in games and practices alike.

“A kid grows up more between his junior and senior year of high school than at any time in his life,” Wedd said. “The fact that he was unanimously elected a team captain tells you a lot about how the other kids feel about him. He’s not as verbal as a lot of guys; he leads by example. A lot of guys will talk about doing it but won’t get it done. Quintin’s the kind of player who gets it done.”

With just a handful of contributors returning from last year’s 6-5 squad, Rucker knows he’ll be counted on heavily this season. He covets the challenge and welcomes the pressure.

“I love every bit of it,” he said. “Being under pressure is one of the most enjoyable things on the planet.”

As for Rucker’s goals for the 2007 season, they’re really no surprise. They center on the team and tap into the tradition he’s so thrilled to be a part of.

“At Lawrence High, the goals are the same with every team,” Rucker said. “Coach always stresses how we’re not here for an undefeated season or to win a certain number of games, we’re here to win state.

“I’m banking on this season,” he added. “I didn’t play varsity as a sophomore, and I did play last year, but I wasn’t spectacular. But this year I’m strapping it on and going after it.”