As a sophomore, Burlington Central’s Landon Arnold got a brief taste of varsity football action. When Jackson Alcorn got injured, Arnold started several games at quarterback.
Arnold, however, faced the difficult task of sitting most of last year behind Alcorn, who earned all-state honors in leading the Rockets to their first playoff appearance in 10 years and first playoff win since 2006.
“Of course, it was really hard, but I tried to treat every JV game like it was a varsity game,” Arnold said. “I had to prepare for every game. Even if Jackson did get injured, I would be ready.”
That patience has paid off as Arnold takes over as the starter at quarterback for the surging Rockets, who check in at No. 7 in the Beacon-News/Courier-News preseason rankings.
Arnold and his teammates want to maintain the momentum that started last fall.
“It’s a moment that I’ve been waiting to have,” Arnold said. “I’m glad I have this moment with these guys. I’m excited to be in this moment. It means a lot to me.”
Burlington Central coach Brian Iossi knows that Arnold’s willingness to learn and wait his turn is a testament his character.
“I think it was good for him,” Iossi said. “He learned a lot in that time, playing behind Jackson. That was very beneficial to him. He showed a lot of patience. He’s a great leader for us.
“To do that, sitting out after being a starter, is tough.”
Another player who didn’t see as much playing time as he wanted last season is senior receiver Christian Livingston, who was poised to have a big year before breaking his fibula and tibia in Week 4 against Crystal Lake Central.
Livingston has played with Arnold since freshman year. He has no doubts about his potential.
“I always knew he could be great from the beginning,” Livingston said of Arnold. “He’s been behind Jackson because obviously Jackson was great. I was behind Caden (West) and LJ (Kerr).
“We’ve just been waiting for senior year to get our chance. It’s a three-year process and it’s finally here. I see how much progress he’s made. It’s been awesome.”
Arnold said he took full advantage of his time as the backup quarterback.
“On and off the field, he was an absolutely great leader,” Arnold said of Alcorn. “He taught me so much, from reading defenses to how to lead the team and how to play with fight and passion.
“I just want to bring that to this year’s team.”
Iossi, who believes the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Arnold is one of the biggest quarterbacks in the Fox Valley Conference, is looking forward to deploying Arnold in multiple ways.
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The Rockets also have a veteran line that will be the anchor for the offense.
“He’s a big kid,” Iossi said of Arnold. “He can run the football. He’s a great passer. I think he’s a good mix. He’s a pretty traditional college-style quarterback right now. He can do it all.
“He’s an all-around good quarterback, smart, makes good decisions.”
Last season’s postseason success put the Rockets into uncharted territory. Beating Grant and holding their own against eventual Class 6A state runner-up Geneva created a ton of excitement.
“No one really knew how to feel because it was the first time it happened,” Arnold said. “Hopefully, we can get back to that feeling.”
That momentum carried into the offseason. When weight training began in December, 100 players showed up for day one. There are 138 players in the program, 15 more than last season.
And now, they have to show that last season was for real.
“The kids are excited,” Iossi said. “The biggest thing that they want to prove is that last year wasn’t a fluke. They’re hungry, man. They want to prove it.”
Arnold, for one, will finally be right in the middle of it.
“It’s fun being the guy,” Arnold said. “It’s fun mentoring younger guys so I can teach them what Jackson taught me. Hopefully, we can keep that going.”
Quick hits
Team: Burlington Central.
2024 record: 8-3.
Offensive leaders: Henry Crumlett, senior, offensive lineman; Henry Deering, senior, running back; Zach Hultgren, senior, offensive lineman; Christian Livingston, senior, wide receiver; Brady Williamson, senior, offensive lineman.
Defensive leaders: Matthew Bending, senior, defensive end; Noah Hedlund, senior, linebacker; Ben Hultgren, junior, linebacker; Tyler McGladdery, senior, linebacker; Aidan Nuno, senior, defensive lineman.
X-factor: Landon Arnold, senior, quarterback.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.