Editors Note: Today we welcome to the NWPR family Coach Brian Hoorn who is dedicated to the kids of Snohomish County and who has an inside knowledge of these kids and their specific talents. We welcome him to our family here at NWPR and WashingtonPreps.com. Catch all his work at SnoCoPreps.com!
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You would think standing 6’6” it would be hard to be overlook but in Jake Luton’s case that’s what drives him to be great. The Marysville-Pilchuck Jr. QB might not get all the accolades other QB’s who throw short screen passes and run spread offenses receive but it’s not because of talent.
Luton led all WESCO 3A and 4A QB’s last year with 9.5 yards per attempt. Truth be told, while other QB’s are hardly throwing past 10 yards, Luton is throwing down-field with most of his attempts at least 10 yards. Luton throws a TD every 9.8 attempts / 5.5 completions compared to the second QB at every 11 attempts / 6.6 completions. Luton’s yards are largely coming by the air while other qb’s are the fortunate recipient of great athletes getting yards after the catch.
When I break down tape of high school QB’s I find them running offenses that schematically give them the edge, that’s great coaching. The coaches know that with certain coverages and certain play calls they can get the advantage. This is great for coaches to be able to run exactly what they want based on what the defense gives them but in my opinion it dumbs down the qb position. The qb’s are usually told who they will be throwing the ball to, no need to go through progressions or take pre snap reads.
It should be noted that numerous times in a game I have seen Luton go through his progressions like a seasoned veteran. 1st option isn’t there on to #2 then #3. Keeping plays alive, eyes down field and delivering the ball with a rocket arm. As far as arm strength I’d say he has the strongest arm I have seen in recent years, the baseball pitcher and outfielder qualities are evident.
So why is an athlete like this possibly being overlooked? Well he plays for the run first Wing-T machine, Marysville-Pilchuck, a team with 104 years of high school football, 102 of which with a history of running the ball on 1stdown, 2nd down and 3rd down, a philosophy that has served MP well often leading their league in offense.
The argument could be made why fix what isn’t broken, stick with the run. However, with a talent such as Luton you would be remiss not to see where you can incorporate his strengths. How do you develop a passing game without losing what you do in the run game? Every practice snap that is taken passing the ball is a snap that is taken away from running the ball and working blocking schemes. There were internal discussions focusing on how much time is needed to become proficient at passing but keep what has made MP an offensive powerhouse. I know this has been a huge point of emphasis for the coaches across the last two years and why they have started doing 7 on 7 camps.
Luton and offense getting passing reps in during 2 a days.
This last year I think they found a nice balance. This last fall MP ran a much more balanced attack, (at least from MP standards) with Austin Joyner’s 2000+ yards, Kacey Walkers 1500+ yards and Luton passing for 1300+ yards (and rushing for 189). Instead of just leading their league the Tomahawks lead the state in total offense for a number of weeks.
As crazy as it sounds up until Luton showed up at MP no one had even come close to a thousand yards passing in a year. After 2 years starting Luton owns numerous season and career school passing records and is looking to do nothing but add to those stats come 2013.
To do that both the coaches and Luton need to continue to develop a certain comfort level with each other within the context of the passing game. Part of Luton’s development has been building trust with the coaches and other players. Trusting when the play is called the offensive line will block correctly and the WR’s will run the correct routes and Luton will read the play correctly, a trust that transcends the qb position, a trust of complete offensive execution. This trust takes time.
The coaches have coached run first teams and when in trouble or in need of a crucial first down they would revert back to what they knew, that is until late this year. Luton remembers it distinctly It was 4th and 4 in the 4thquarter of the Timberline State Playoff game. Where maybe a year ago or even earlier in the season the coaches would’ve called for a fly sweep, power, a trap or even the option. However, in this instance in a critical state playoff game the coaches decided to throw and were rewarded with a 1stdown. Part of Luton’s development has been building that trust with the coaches to allow them to feel comfortable calling his number regardless of the situation.
Not that MP wants to abandon the run first philosophy but they have a great weapon in Luton so why not figure out ways to use him within the context of the offense. That’s why next year look for Luton’s role to continue to grow as that trust grows.
Some programs have taken notice. Luton was just at the UW Junior Days last weekend, took an unofficial visit to Tennessee, has been visited at school by WSU and likes the idea of Arizona State.
Jake Luton & Coach Carson celebrate
I believe his talent is undeniable but if you choose to overlook him that’s fine, Luton says he loves to prove people wrong. Up to now no one in the history of man has come to MP in search of a QB that has now changed as has the MP offense.
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/665773/highlights/32897427
