Metea Valley senior Charlie Larson always puts his team first and himself second, even when it means he’s no longer in the driver’s seat.
As a junior, Larson was the Mustangs’ quarterback. He passed for 1,520 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for 642 yards and eight scores, and he was named the team’s offensive MVP.
Larson had played quarterback on the lower levels as a freshman and sophomore, too, but he was never a star. First-year coach Patrick Sheehan didn’t have any better options, so Larson stayed behind center last season.
“Charlie was a warrior last year,” Sheehan said. “He was the guy that had to step up and play quarterback. We designed the offense to have more of a running quarterback, and he did a good job.”
Larson’s efforts earned Sheehan’s respect.
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“Charlie is like the soul of our team,” Sheehan said. “He’s really at the next level as a safety and a slot receiver.”
Larson had plenty of experience playing safety but little as a receiver. But when junior quarterback Iggy Amorrortu transferred from Wheaton St. Francis, Sheehan wanted Larson to catch footballs rather than throw them.
“I had a conversation with Charlie,” Sheehan said. “I was like, ‘Hey, it’s going to help the team if you do the position that you’re probably more meant to do,’ and he didn’t even bat an eye.
“He said, ‘All right, I guess I’ll get receiving gloves.’”
Larson got acclimated quickly.
“It took him two days to learn how to catch, two days to learn how to run the routes, and then it was like, ‘OK, we’re going to be fine,’” Sheehan said. “He’s a natural athlete.”
Larson is a natural leader too. He quickly bonded with Amorrortu, who was impressed with Larson’s willingness to switch positions for him.
“Since day one he was very welcoming,” Amorrortu said. “He’s like, ‘Man, if you help us win and I have to be at a different position, so be it.’”
Larson has embraced the change.
“It’s been definitely something new learning everything,” he said. “But it’s been fun working with Iggy, growing that connection.”
The Amorrortu-to-Larson connection got its first primetime action during the season opener on Friday. Larson had three receptions for 40 yards, including 16- and 17-yarders to move the sticks during the Mustangs’ 27-10 road loss to St. Charles East.
“It was fun,” Larson said. “It’s so much different than quarterback. It’s just a whole new role. You see the game in a different way.
“I think I did good. Obviously, you always get better.”
Larson has always been a good defender, and he had a solid performance against the Saints, including an interception that ended their first possession at Metea Valley’s 8-yard line.
On the ensuing play, Amorrortu completed a 7-yard pass to Larson. It was the beginning of an 87-yard drive that senior kicker Ryan Lozowski capped with a 22-yard field goal to give the Mustangs a 3-0 lead.
“I think he played great at wide receiver,” Amorrortu said of Larson. “Some things I will have to critique during practice, but this is the first game. We’ll be back.”
No matter where Larson plays, he always comes back. He has always enjoyed football, first playing flag football before beginning tackle football in seventh grade, and doesn’t want to stop.
“I’m confident in myself,” Larson said. “I think I can play both sides of the ball in college. I love them both.”
Larson also loves his teammates and enjoys being a captain.
“I think my role is to just be the good cop, pick everyone up,” Larson said. “Coaches are hard on people sometimes. That’s their job.
“I just want to be a guy that people can go to and I can lift them up and get them going.”
Just like Larson’s elders have done with him.
“I’ve had some really good teachers in my life,” he said. “I love the game, so that helps, and the coaches have drilled into me the intelligence side of it. I love playing with the guys.”
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The Mustangs love playing with Larson.
“You don’t find Charlie Larson really anywhere you go,” Amorrortu said.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.