Lincoln-Way West’s Jahan Abubaker doesn’t skip breakfast anymore.
At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, the junior running back has a slim physique. But not as lean as his sophomore season when the most important meal of the day was not all that important to him.
“I was a guy that wasn’t confident and was kind of scrawny and just kind of out there and was out there just to be out there,” Abubaker said. “Last year, I was about 160.
“All of my friends were getting on me about eating more no matter what. I used to skip breakfast a lot. I wouldn’t eat anything. Now, I’m eating oatmeal or eggs. All that stuff.”
The better-fed Abubaker started the 2024 season eating up yards Friday night, running for 128 on 16 carries with a touchdown in a 44-7 nonconference win over host Eisenhower in Blue Island.
Senior quarterback Chase Hetfleish completed 12 of 21 passes for 196 yards to lead the Warriors (1-0), including TDs to Quinn Forsythe, DeAndre Coates, Chase Markowicz and Austin Rowswell.
On defense, Forsythe chipped in with an interception and Northwestern recruit Josh Veldman recovered a fumble for Lincoln-Way West. The Warriors held Eisenhower (0-1) to only 98 yards.
The Cardinals were stymied for most of the game, but gave the home crowd something to cheer about when Darion Lee hit Khamarion Wade with a 26-yard TD strike during a running clock in the fourth quarter.
Abubaker, meanwhile, spent time on the varsity last year watching workhorse Joey Campagna pile up 1,800 yards and 22 TDs.
He watched and learned.
“Joey is a great player, and I feel like he shaped my game and how I play today,” Abubaker said. “He told me just to study, know what to do and trust myself.”
Abubaker has taken the studying part of Campagna’s advice to heart. He’s constantly watching film on a monitor or his phone.
“I watch film, and I know who my guys are going to block and how to maneuver my body to make certain plays,” he said. “I also know where the linebackers are going to fill in, and I just base my game off of that.”
Abubaker ran for 63 yards in the first quarter and added 39 in the second Friday night.
With the running game softening up the defense, that allowed Hetfleish to go wild with the passing game. He threw three TD passes in the third quarter to help the Warriors tack on 23 points.
“This was a blast,” Hetfleish said. “We have great depth and weapons everywhere on the field.”
Having Abubaker setting the table helped the cause.
“His growth as a football player is unbelievable,” Hetfleish said. “I like his agility and his smartness to the game.”
Despite being a “scrawny sophomore” last year, Abubaker still earned valuable playing time.
“Jahan ran the ball about 10 times a game, so he came in this season with that experience,” Lincoln-Way West coach Luke Lokanc said. “Now, he is taking the next step as No. 1.”
Abubaker grew up in Orland Park, played youth football with the Tinley Park Bulldogs and moved to Manhattan when he was 13. His older brother, Joshua Banks, played running back for Andrew.
“I play running back because of him,” Abubaker said. “I used to go to Andrew games growing up.”
Don’t look now, but the Warriors will play host Friday to Andrew. Abubaker insisted there will be no trash-talking with his brother or any of his former Tinley Park Bulldogs teammates.
“There isn’t any kind of hate,” he said. “It just going out and playing a game that I love.
“I love the atmosphere and putting on a show for all of my fans and family and teammates.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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