Replacing Stewart, Warren’s Randolph ‘has done it with grace’

Warren junior running back Jonathan Randolph is learning that being successful is preferable to envisioning such success.

But having the opportunity to prepare for his time in the spotlight was invaluable for Randolph, who waited for his turn in the shadow of record-setting running back Aaron Stewart.

“I was just developing before and knew that making the most of that opportunity would pay off,” Randolph said. “I was getting a lot of mental reps, both in games and in practice. So I learned a lot that way. I was just trying to learn a lot from him any way I could.”

Stewart rushed for 2,872 yards and 46 touchdowns last season, giving Randolph plenty to digest.

“There was a lot to take away from him, both mentally and physically,” Randolph said. “We’re two different backs. He’s more of a downhill runner, and I’m maybe more elusive. I learned more of the downhill part from him.”

The 5-foot-8 Randolph put what he learned to good use on Friday. He ran to daylight for a 67-yard touchdown run and also scored on 1-yard and 30-yard runs during Warren’s 49-6 North Suburban Conference win over Zion-Benton in Gurnee.

“I’m good at cutting and making defenders miss and can use my speed on the outside,” Randolph said. “I can run jets, almost like a receiver, and also feel pretty comfortable catching passes out of the backfield.”

Randolph, who finished with 153 yards rushing, has certainly found his footing to become the latest in a long line of workhorse running backs for the Blue Devils (3-3, 3-1). He has impressed Warren coach Bryan McNulty, who picked up his 100th career win in the victory over the Zee-Bees (4-2, 2-2).

“He’s a tough kid and is everything we want in a back,” McNulty said. “He had some big shoes to fill and has done it with grace. He’s competitive, he breaks tackles and does what we need him to do. What you see out of him is a lot of what he put in in the weight room.”

McNulty isn’t kidding. Randolph can squat 495 pounds.

“I love to squat,” he said. “That’s always been my thing. As a freshman, I came in at around 130 pounds, and now I’m 170. As I kept getting bigger and stronger, I started thinking about being out there.”

By which Randolph means leading Warren’s offense. After rushing for three touchdowns for the second time in three weeks, he increased his season total to 10. He has also gained nearly 800 yards.

Randolph had a breakout game against Mundelein in Week 4, when he rushed for 234 yards in Warren’s first win of the season following losses to Loyola, Maine South and Libertyville.

“I learned a lot from the first two games, playing really tough teams,” he said. “Now that we’re into conference, I’m really starting to go, not worry about anything. The more carries I get, the better.”

Randolph’s confidence is a result of his success. Following in Stewart’s footsteps wasn’t easy.

“Being the starting running back and taking on all that pressure, that was something I was definitely worried about,” Randolph said. “I definitely felt pressure. All the people in the crowd, it’s tough. I try now to silence that crowd.

“It seemed like people expected me to get the ball 40 times a game, like Aaron. My coaches just told me not to think about it and to use my style.”

That style fuels Warren’s drives.

“It’s really fun blocking for him because he sees the holes and never stops running,” senior left tackle Emmanuel Ubaka said. “He fights through blocks and always gets extra yardage. Even when there’s no hole, he’s good at bouncing it outside or into another gap.

“When we keep giving him the ball, the first downs come pretty easily.”

Randolph is happy to contribute.

“It feels very good to be depended on now to do a lot for our team,” he said. “I feel like this is the real me now and not the guy replacing Aaron.”