Anthony Norris wears a quarterback’s jersey number, with the attitude of a lineman worn on his sleeve.
That dual personality is fitting on the football field.
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Norris, Mundelein’s junior-to-be quarterback, has always doubled as a defensive lineman. He still takes occasional reps on the line.
At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Norris is one quarterback not afraid to take a hit.
“When I run the ball, it’s not about agility. It’s about lowering my shoulder and trying to run through people,” Norris said. “That’s my style. It transferred from playing D-line.”
The big man has some big shoes to fill this fall at Mundelein.
Norris is taking the reins of the Mustangs’ offense from graduated three-year starter Colten Fisher. All Fisher did last year was account for more than 2,400 yards and 25 touchdowns running and passing combined to lead Mundelein to a 4-5 record.
That record might not seem like much, but it was the closest the Mustangs had come to a playoff berth since their last postseason trip in 2004. They had gone 5-58 in the previous seven seasons.
Norris recognizes who he’s replacing, and what he can’t replace.
“Colten was a great quarterback and an amazing athlete,” Norris said. “I think I can go out there and do my job. I maybe can’t do what he did from an athletic standpoint, but by using my arm as a threat and my feet.”
Norris and Mundelein got a good taste of action on Thursday, June 30, and Friday, July 1, at the Red Grange 7-on-7 at Wheaton South.
The Mustangs went 0-5 in pool play but came back to beat South Elgin and New Trier in going 2-2 at the bracketed double-elimination tournament.
Norris and his big frame stood out. A quarterback at Mundelein since he first arrived, Norris separated himself during the spring competition to replace Fisher.
“He throws a real nice ball and he runs well enough,” Mundelein coach Larry Calhoun said. “He might not outrun you, but you’re going to have a hard time bringing him down.”
Mundelein won’t stray from running spread out of the shotgun, but the change in quarterback does bring a few new wrinkles.
“Last year with Colten, he was a speed burner. Whenever he could run, that’s what we were going to do,” Calhoun said. “Norris can run, but he’s a big, power runner. You’ll see us sprinkle in more run/pass option stuff. I think we have more options in terms of guys who can make plays in space.”
Last year’s return to respectability seems to be reflected in the growth of Mundelein’s program. The number of juniors and seniors who came out for football still is in the low 30s, but Calhoun noted that the sophomore class is “big for Mundelein.” By next year, if the kids come back, Calhoun hopes to have more than 50 varsity players.
“We’re trying to grow from the bottom up and still be competitive,” Calhoun said. “We have good players. We just don’t have much depth.”
One of those players, senior-to-be linebacker Lucas Cepeda, has noticed an uptick in the energy level from last summer. Cepeda will be moving from outside to middle linebacker this fall.
“We’re headed in the right direction,” Cepeda said. “I think we’re going to play competitive this year against good teams.”
Calhoun noted that early success will be important. Mundelein started last season 3-0, which surpassed the win total from the previous five seasons.
“We didn’t win every game, but we were competitive. That’s what it’s all about,” Calhoun said. “We want to divorce ourselves from the inferiority complex we had in the past. We haven’t completely wiped it out, but we’re getting there.”
Joshua Welge is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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Twitter @jwelge96