It’s the most important position on the field.
That’s why none of the coaches at four area schools took the decision lightly this fall when naming underclassmen as their starting quarterback.
Still, it’s a rarity.
We’re two-thirds of the way through the regular season, though, and one thing is certain.
These four new kids on the block, whose schools are all within 16 miles of each other, are proving they can play the demanding position and play it quite well.
The list includes:
Ryan Boe for Batavia (6-0).
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Max Bray for Aurora Christian (4-2).
Troyer Carlson for Kaneland (3-3).
Ethan Plumb for St. Charles North (3-3).
Boe, Bray and Carlson are sophomores. Plumb is a freshman. All four lead teams with high hopes for the fast approaching playoffs.
“I had to think about it a lot,” Aurora Christian coach David Beebe said. “But I’ve been blown away by Max’s approach and professionalism. He approaches the game very seriously, loves the game and is very disciplined.”
Kaneland coach Pat Ryan said there’s more to the decision than making sure a young player is physically ready for the demands of varsity, especially at a position like quarterback.
Carlson started five games as a freshman for the Knights last spring in a season that was shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.
“They’re more immature at 14 and 15,” Ryan said. “Most players spend two years developing into varsity players.
“When we made the decision last spring, we had a really experienced team and a good, experienced offensive line to protect him.”
Kaneland has had success in the past with three-year quarterbacks like Joe Camiliere and Drew David.
“As this season has progressed, Troyer has been making better decisions,” Ryan said. “He sees the field well and doesn’t take as many sacks, something we’ve worked on. We, as a staff, have to remind ourselves at times he’s still a sophomore.
“But he’s such a mature sophomore. The team voted him a captain, which is highly unusual, but he’s done a really good job of being a leader.”
The sophomores, in particular, have stats that jump off the page.
The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Carlson has completed 68% of his passes (111 of 164) for 1,628 yards and 19 touchdowns with just five interceptions.
Bray, who’s 6-1 and 180, has completed 63% for 1,536 yards and 20 TDs with three interceptions. The 6-3, 180-pound Boe, has completed 71% for 966 yards and 11 TDs with four interceptions.
More and more, St. Charles North coach Rob Pomazak pointed out, players are coming into the program having had instruction already from a personal coach.
The 6-3, 195-pound Plumb, who has passed for 539 yards, split time the past two games with a junior.
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“I’ve never in 10 years as a head coach had a freshman start before,” Pomazak said. “Ethan’s mental makeup was the deciding factor. Cognitively, they have to be able to handle it, too.
“Ethan is a tremendous leader, has a great mental feel for it, and he’s humble.”
Batavia coach Dennis Piron marvels at how quickly things have turned around for his team this fall at the key position.
Last spring, one of the top contenders for the job moved out of state, fearing sports wouldn’t be played in Illinois due to the political situation amid the pandemic.
Kyle Oroni started strong but suffered a season-ending broken leg. The coaching staff chose to go with wide receiver Trey Urwiler as the emergency quarterback.
“Our sophomore quarterback and Boe, the freshman quarterback, hadn’t played a snap of varsity ball,” Piron said.
In a tight battle throughout July and August, Boe earned the starting job.
“Boe has exceeded all our expectations,” Piron said. “I can’t believe how his confidence has grown in practice and games. He’s not playing at all like a sophomore. If he were a first-year senior starter, I’d be happy.”
If the other player hadn’t moved out of state, Boe probably would be leading the sophomore team right now. Next season, the Bulldogs will be deep at quarterback.
“It’s going to be a big problem next year for people,” Piron said. “There, I’ve said it.”
For all four programs, the future is obviously bright.
But that future might just be now.