Richie Quinn quickly made up for lost time.

The Monsignor Farrell two-way lineman entered the Sept. 15 game against visiting Canarsie on the first play of the fourth quarter and sliced through the offensive line to make a tackle for no gain.

“I just shot the gap, got through the line and jumped on [the running back],” Quinn said.

While the play might have seemed like a footnote in a non-league contest the Lions won by a score of 49-6, it didn’t go unnoticed by Quinn’s teammates on the sidelines or his coaches, who voiced their support for the senior.

“Richie has phenomenal heart and soul,” said Farrell head coach Rocco Del Priore. “He’s a selfless kid.”

Quinn is built like a fire hydrant, and that low center of gravity was expected to put him in good stead whichever side of the line of scrimmage he found himself on this season. While a member of the varsity last year, Quinn didn’t really see any action; that was supposed to change as a senior.

“He’s not big, but he’s ridiculously strong,” noted school principal Larry Musanti, who watched Farrell’s rout of the Chiefs from the sidelines.

But last November, just after the football season concluded, Quinn’s life changed.

“I had a seizure. I thought it was just going to be a one-time thing,” said Quinn. “After a couple of tests, I had another one on March 30 [of this year]. A couple of months after that, I was diagnosed with epilepsy.”

“He never missed a practice prior to his health complications,” said Del Priore.

Now on medication for the condition – a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed – Quinn’s playing time is carefully monitored, but he’s happy to just be out there, regardless of what position he’s playing.

“Last season, I was used mostly at D-line, but I do both. I have no preference,” said the 16-year-old Arden Heights resident.

And when he is on the field, Quinn has put the epilepsy “in the back of his mind. I try not to think about it. I always felt I’d be OK. I have confidence I will.”

Quinn also has faith in the Lions, who improved to 2-1 overall with the win over Canarsie.

“We have a great atmosphere here with a great coach,” Quinn stated.

Del Priore reciprocates that admiration.

“Richie is just a hard-working kid,” he said.