The year of the quarterback, again?
LaCosse leads the pack
At around 6-foot-5, Matt LaCosse appears to be a classic pocket passer, someone who can take a five-step drop and see clearly across the line of scrimmage.
"I get that a lot," LaCosse said the other day after practice.
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That perception, however, isn't accurate for Naperville North's junior quarterback. His running ability is something that defensive coordinators throughout the DuPage Valley Conference will have to account for this season.
"Actually, I think you're gonna be surprised by what great speed he has," Huskies coach Larry McKeon said of LaCosse. "He has big, strong legs and he's fast. (He) does very well in the 40-yard dash and he likes keeping the ball and he likes being physical out there.
"You look at a kid that's 6-5, 6-6 and you think: 'He can't move very well.' And (LaCosse) really does. ... It will be fun to watch him kind of grow into this."
It's tempting to frame this as the year of the quarterback. Brett Favre and Michael Vick are back to work in Minnesota and Philadelphia. Jay Cutler is the prince of the city here in Chicago.
The top three vote-getters from last season's Heisman Trophy campaign -- quarterbacks Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Colt McCoy (Texas) and Tim Tebow (Florida) -- have all returned.
Locally, three prep quarterbacks have already committed to high-major programs: Downers Grove South's Chandler Whitmer (Illinois); Wheaton North's Taylor Graham (Ohio State); and Lake Forest's Tommy Rees (Notre Dame).
But -- let's be honest -- it's always the year of the QB. No position is more important or undergoes more scrutiny.
There will be transition phases at Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley, which both have to replace record-setting quarterbacks.
Tyler Castro, now a freshman at Drake, was a three-year starter at Waubonsie and finished his senior season with 2,002 yards passing and 23 touchdowns. Alex Lincoln -- who threw for 1,722 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2008 -- left Neuqua as the career leader in passing yards, completions, attempts and touchdowns.
Benet will start Luke Terna, an athletic 5-11 senior with good running skills. He has a quick first step and likes to throw on the move.
North has a good idea of what LaCosse will bring to the offense, either in the double-wing or the spread.
"Matt's got a lot to build on," McKeon said. "He's tall, he's fast. He does some good things with the football when he throws it. But he needs consistency. He needs to become a student of the game. He needs the little things that you have to do to be a great quarterback.
"Right now we think he's pretty good (but) he's still lacking in a few areas. (He's) got a lot of growing to do yet. ... He knows that. He knows there's a lot he doesn't know about this game but he's very willing."
LaCosse's sophomore numbers were steady -- 11 of 25 for 207 yards and one touchdown. He did not throw an interception and also rushed for three touchdowns. But most importantly -- in the stat that matters most to quarterbacks -- he won two games last season subbing for an injured senior starter (Matt Manade) before the Huskies swept through the DVC.
"Last year I was still a little nervous about everything. (Now) I just feel a lot more comfortable," LaCosse said. "I'm more vocal with line calls and everything. If someone's screwing around or something, I'll set them straight."
The area's new starting quarterbacks will have to absorb the same lessons LaCosse did from the veterans who used to surround him.
"The thing I learned last year is to just play calm, play smooth," LaCosse said. "You're not the only guy out there. Don't try and do everything by yourself."
