Seneca ’s Gunner Varland wasn’t sure how much he would play Friday against Dwight .

Missing school Tuesday and Wednesday because of illness, the senior quarterback didn’t start on defense, and the coaching staff wanted to see how he was going to hold up during the game.

He held up just fine, rushing for 100 yards on nine carries, scoring three touchdowns and leading the Irish to a 50-17 Chicagoland Prairie Conference win.

“I’m feeling wonderful right now,” Varland said after the win improved the Irish to 4-0, 1-0 in conference play. “It was rough being out. I wanted to come to school. Every day, I’m like, ‘Mom, I’m missing practice. I’ve got to go so I can play.’

“Coming here, I wasn’t sure if I was going to play. Coach tells me, ‘I don’t know when you’re going to be in.’ I made an

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