Jaylen Younger looks like a running back and also has a really strong desire to tote the rock.
However, the Montcalm senior has placed those wishes on the back burner for now. Turns out, the now three-year starter is actually a quarterback trapped in a running back’s body.
“I have probably been a quarterback since I played Pee Wee football, but it is not what I like to play,” Younger admitted. “I talked to coach about it this offseason. I wanted play a little bit in the backfield, but I told him I would do what is needed and what is best for the team.”
Younger’s sacrifice has paid historic dividends for Montcalm the last two seasons with back-to-back 8-2 records.
Prior to Younger stepping under center, the Generals had recorded only two winning seasons since starting football in 1995.
“We fully expected coming from middle school and watching him in Little League for him to be our quarterback, even from ninth grade,” Montcalm head coach Adam Havens said. “Jaylen has really taken to it. He has shown maturity and leadership in his ability to handle constructive criticism and get better.”
Although he was projected to play under center at an early age, Havens had the luxury of easing him into the position.
“We were fortunate that we had a player at quarterback that could do the job, so we were able to bring Jaylen along,” Havens said. “Then when he was ready, he got hurt and he had to take a step back.”
At that point in his high school career, Younger felt he should have been playing right away in his first year of varsity action.
“Freshman year, I was selfish to be honest. I wasn’t looking at it like there was a guy that was older than me and had more experience,” Younger explained. “Looking back at it, it makes sense. Now they wouldn’t put a freshman in over me knowing I have game experience. Especially knowing I understand the game of football better than these other guys.”
When his sophomore year arrived, Younger was the guy and his quarterback career blossomed. His success came in large part due to the fact that he was willing to listen and put in the needed work to get better.
“We have been really pushing him to improve each year and he has stepped up to the challenge. He has worked on mobility and he has worked on his arm strength. This preseason and over the summer, we really worked on decision making,” Havens said. “Three years ago as a sophomore, we expected some growing pains and he had a phenomenal year. Jaylen had a great year last year.”
As a junior, Younger threw for 1,378 yards with 16 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. Havens is hoping the best is yet to come for Younger.
“We feel like we have added some new spread wrinkles that will help him be more successful early in games,” Younger said. “That can lead to stretching the field through the air.”
The biggest positive for the Montcalm field general is neither success or a desire to move to running back has quelled his desire to be a better quarterback.
“As a sophomore his weaknesses were just the speed of the game, how defenses moved and making the right read,” Havens said. “His strength was a strong arm. He has always been able to spin it really well. We have tried to grow on all of those things.”
Younger talked about his improvement efforts heading into his senior season.
“I have tried to work more on my shorter throws. I still get nervous back there and I am concerned about a sack from the back. I try my best to stay calm though. Happy feet are dangerous feet,” Younger said. “I feel like I have improved in my pass game, progressing through my reads and I understand defenses better. I have improved my footwork and my throwing mechanics too.”
The veteran quarterback has also stepped up and taken more of a leadership role this year.
“He has embraced the role of leading by example, but he has also become more vocal,” Havens said. “We have a freshman this year that we expect to take over in the future. Jaylon has been really helpful to him explaining the offense.”
One place Younger will most likely not be found is on the defensive side of the ball.
“I know the guys out there can get the job done. I prefer them to be out there because I am not much of a defensive player,” Younger said. “I am not scared of contact, but I don’t think I would make the right reads like I can on offense.
The only down side of the previous two seasons is the fact that the Generals have been on the outside looking in when playoff time rolls around. Now with the new four-class system, Younger is hoping this will be the year for the first-ever playoff berth for Montcalm.
“I think we need seven or eight wins and it will be beneficial picking up a double-A team on the schedule. It starts with senior leadership. That is all it is,” Younger said. “We can’t get our head down from some bad plays. We start out slow every year, but we have to want it this year.”
