Downers Grove South junior James Sobkowiak has started at quarterback since his sophomore year, and four games into his second varsity season, roughly six teammates are sidelined with injuries.

The losses have forced new receivers and a reshuffled offensive line into the lineup, according to the DGS student newspaper, the Blueprint. Sobkowiak, whom head coach Mark Molinari has called a Division I prospect in both football and baseball, has kept the offense moving.

"A lot of guys have gone down, so we need people to step up," Sobkowiak told the Blueprint. "It's been different with new receivers and having a new offensive line … those are the main challenges."

The Mustangs are 3-1.

Through four games, Sobkowiak has thrown for 722 yards and eight touchdowns, according to stats he posted on X on Tuesday, Sept. 15. DGS routed Willowbrook 42-7 on Friday, Sept. 11, with Sobkowiak throwing for 215 yards and three scores. Two of those touchdown passes went to Tony Evers, covering 30 and 46 yards. The third, an 11-yarder, went to Forest Bates.

The lone loss came against crosstown rival Downers Grove North, 45-7, on Aug. 28. DGN is now ranked No. 9 in the state, according to Sports Illustrated's Illinois Top 25.

Molinari, who also teaches engineering at DGS, said Sobkowiak's leadership showed even before the season started. Sobkowiak missed summer football camp because he was playing baseball, but Molinari said his presence still carried weight with teammates.

Sobkowiak is drawing attention on the diamond, too. Prep Baseball Illinois listed him as a top uncommitted prospect in the state in a Sept. 14 post on X. Shaw Local reported in August that Molinari believes Sobkowiak has a Division I future but isn't sure whether it will come in football or baseball.

The Mustangs are chasing their seventh consecutive playoff berth, according to the Chicago Tribune. Last season DGS rallied from a 1-4 start to finish second in the West Suburban Gold before falling to Maine South 56-20 in the first round of the IHSA playoffs.

DGS hosts Hinsdale Central on Friday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m.