Second and long? Not a quarterback’s optimal scenario. But second and Long? That’s what this young signal caller is hoping for.
That’s Long, as in Jeremy Long (2nd year, Calgary, Notre Dame High School), who’s preparing himself for a wide-open, three-way battle this summer for the Calgary Colts’ starting quarterback spot during the 2010 Prairie Football Conference (PFC) season. Long, Clayton Masikewich (2nd year, Calgary, John G. Diefenbaker HS) and Brett Serhyenko (2nd year, Cochrane, Alta., Cochrane HS) are the frontrunners to take the snaps for the junior gridiron squad this season.
“I’m definitely going for the No. 1 spot. I’ve got no other intentions,” says Long, 19, a two-time Alberta provincial Tier 2 high school champion with the Notre Dame Pride. “I’m ready to rock this year. I’m really excited.”
Last season, Masikewich directed the Colts’ offence after two years of red-shirting with the University of Calgary Dinos. Long, straight out of high school, quickly moved up the depth chart to become the club’s No. 2 QB. And Serhyenko, who helped direct the Cochrane Cobras to a trio of provincial high school Tier 3 crowns, has returned to southern Alberta after spending 2009 with the junior Victoria Rebels of the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC).
Colts offensive coordinator Rob McNab is expecting a dogfight once the club’s pre-season training camp kicks off Aug. 3.
“As I’ve told these guys, competition brings out the best in everybody,” says McNab. “We’re going to see who works the hardest, and who wants it most. And I’m looking forward to this season, because it’s a great problem for us to have.
“We’ve got a fourth QB, Justin Fredrich (2nd year, Cochrane, Cochrane HS) who spent last year learning with us, but there are other teams out there who’d like to have him, too,” says McNab. “Of these four kids, we could start the season with any two of them and be better than OK — better than most (junior) teams.”
Back in 2008, Julian Marchand directed the Colts into their first PFC final in 18 years, and was justly rewarded as the PFC’s most valuable player. He proved a hard act to follow in 2009, especially for a pair of junior rookies thrown into the fire. Masikewich finished the season with 120 completions on 230 passing attempts, for a percentage of 52.2, tossing 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Long was 17-of-34 in a backup capacity, with five picks.
Serhyenko went 45-of-110 in Victoria, with five TD passes and six picks. “It’ll be really great to be playing back in Alberta again,” says Serhyenko, 20. “I’ll be competing against two other really good quarterbacks, so we’ll see what happens. I’m here to help the team any way I can.”
Notes McNab: “Last year, we had only two starters (on offence) returning, and both those kids came in and did an admirable job — we had a 5-3 record, made the playoffs. There’s definitely bigger expectations this year. Clayton’s a great competitor, a very bright kid, with a strong arm, and he’s more of a pocket passer. Brett and Jeremy are very similar. They can move the pocket around a little bit, and when they get outside, they definitely create issues for other teams, who’ll have to account for these kids. They can take off with the ball. They can throw on the run. And they’re very good at it.”
McNab predicts that choosing a No. 1 quarterback will be “my biggest decision heading into the season,” and veteran Colts head coach Keith Kendal is hoping to see some take-charge attitude in the pocket. “We need to have a QB who’s a boss,” says Kendal, “and earns the respect of the offence.”
The Colts begin their 2010 season on Aug. 21 against the host Edmonton Huskies. For more information on the club, please visit [url]www.calgarycolts.com
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