Bad Break For Lucas

Atiq Lucas has scored nine touchdowns in six games.

BY JASON MOLINET

Atiq Lucas was expected to be released from Winthrop University Hospital in Garden City on Tuesday night, three days after suffering a broken leg in the first quarter of Saturday’s 24-6 win over rival Chaminade, according to St. Anthony’s coach Rich Reichert.

The senior running back, one of the top prospects on Long Island, suffered a broken right tibia and fibula when a Chaminade defender fell awkwardly on the leg. Lucas gained 4 yards and a first down before hitting the turf in pain at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale.

Lucas lay on the field for 25 minutes as both benches took a knee and the crowd grew silent.

“The first thing is you feel horrible for the kid,’’ offensive coordinator Fred Gallagher said. “Then you think, ‘Where do we go from here?’’’

St. Anthony’s and its deep backfield should be just fine. By all accounts, so should Lucas.

The school’s principal, Bro. Gary Cregan, accompanied Lucas as he was transported by ambulance. The 5-11, 185-pound Lucas underwent surgery on Sunday. A rod was inserted into the leg, Reichert said.

“It was a clean break and the doctor was happy with the surgery,’’ Reichert said. “They said he should be running again in February.’’

The rehabilitation process has already begun.

Gallagher visited Lucas in the hospital on Monday and the teen has just finished his first rehab session. No one felt worse seeing Lucas hobbled and in pain than Gallagher, who watched him grow into a feared playmaker.

Inronically, Lucas got his chance to shine as a junior when Chris Carberry was lost for the season Week 4. Lucas developed into a scoring threat and scored a 25-yard touchdown run in the championship win over Mount St. Michael.

“This is horrible,’’ Gallagher said. “He’s someone who did everything you asked. He was at speed and weight training on Wednesdays and Sundays over the summer. His enthusiasm was contagious. He set an example and each week more and more players showed up.’’

That dedication should help Lucas, who accounted for five rushing, two receiving and two kickoff returns for touchdowns in six games, recover quickly. As for his future, Reichert said the back has a strong enough body of work to remain a legitimate college recruit.

As for the Friars, there hasn’t been much time to dwell on the loss of the team’s most dynamic player. The biggest game of the season to date looms. St. Anthony’s hits the road for the fourth straight week to face 7-0 Iona Prep at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Westchester.

That doesn’t mean Lucas has been forgotten. Far from it.

“We told the kids to stay away from the hospital to let him rest,’’ Reichert said. “The kids all went and saw him anyway. [Lucas] was feeling down. So it was a good thing.’’

The Friars have a new rallying cry. Atiq Lucas may no longer be able to carry the team physically, but he should serve as an inspiration to them all. That may carry the Friars far indeed.