Meet Noah Larson, a Mustang who wants to be a Spartan.
Metea Valley coach John Parpet and his staff have high expectations for Larson, a senior who is scheduled to pull double duty for the Mustangs.
Projected to start for the third season at the strongside linebacker position in the middle of Metea’s 3-5 defense, Larson also will take over at quarterback.
Behind center, Larson succeeds Logan Frederick, a three-year starter he backed up last season.
“I don’t want my best guys standing on the sideline,” Parpet said. “I’m not going to do it with everybody but maybe up to four guys. I’m a firm believer in it.
“We’ll be smart about how we go about it, spelling (Larson) at different spots. He put himself in position to do this with his offseason strength program.”
When Parpet he took over as head coach for the 2019 season, he created the Spartan Award, named for the fierce fighters of ancient Greece. It’s his way of honoring two-way starters.
“It means a lot because the kids I looked up to a last year, including Logan, were all two-way players,” Larson said. “To be able to go out and do it for my team this year is awesome. I’m super excited.”
While he’s new to the position in high school, Larson said he always played quarterback while growing up.
Larson missed his freshman season with a broken arm he suffered playing his other sport, baseball.
Which is his favorite?
“Whichever season I’m in,” Larson said.
He was promoted to the varsity to play defense as a sophomore, but the Mustangs played only three of their six scheduled games in the shortened season due to pandemic protocols.
“I don’t even count that season,” Parpet said.
This team is his first at the school to have a full, normal offseason of preparation in his tenure. Parpet believes it will make a difference.
“Our strength and conditioning coaches have done a tremendous job,” Parpet said. “We’d have more than 60 kids in our weight room with two sessions, morning and afternoon. It was terrific.
“And for us, tasting a little bit of success last year, we’re at 140 kids in the program after 68 that first year. Each year we’re going up.”
Last season, Metea (3-6, 2-4) delivered its first DuPage Valley Conference win, its first win over rival Waubonsie Valley and the first three-game winning streak in Parpet’s tenure.
The Mustangs look to keep improving.
“We had to squash a lot of demons in this program,” Parpet said. “That senior class last season took it and ran with it, and this one is looking to build on it.”
It starts with the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Larson, a more physical runner than Frederick, who was 6-3, 150.
“We called Logan ‘Gumby’ because he was tall and lanky,” Larson said. “But he would just get hit and pop right back up.
“I think I’ve got a strong arm and can get the ball out quick. I should be able to run the ball up the middle a little bit more and be firm in the pocket.”
Larson, who is finding his comfort zone on offense, expects to have a good connection with senior receivers Chris Smith and Robert Lynch.
“Quarterback is new, but I’m really getting a vibe with my teammates,” Larson said. “As a third-year starter, linebacker is really comfortable.
“As a team, last year at this time we didn’t have everything installed as a defense. This year? We’re two weeks out (from the opener at Geneva) and we already have everything installed.”
That’s good because the schedule will be a challenge, with the nonconference games including the opener at playoff qualifier Geneva and at Class 8A state champion Lockport.
“It’s a tough schedule,” Larson said. “But I think we’ve got a good shot against a lot of these teams.”
The offseason was key, according to Parpet.
“With what we did in 7-on-7s and at team camps, our kids are not fearing anybody,” Parpet said. “They’re expecting to be in position in the fourth quarter to win a game.
“We’ve improved. Now, we have to take that next step and go after one of the big three (Naperville Central, Naperville North and Neuqua Valley) in the conference.”
Team: Metea Valley.
2021 record: 3-6.
Offensive leaders: Ramon Arteaga, senior, offensive lineman; Francisco Cannone, offensive lineman; Noah Larson, senior, quarterback.
Defensive leaders: Zach Lyonsford, senior, safety; Evan Hall, senior, linebacker; Omotayo Taiwo, senior, defensive lineman.
X-factor: Lucas Van Vlerah, junior, quarterback/cornerback.