Quarterback is one of the hardest positions to play in sports.
Not only do quarterbacks have to know their offense inside and out, they also have to be able to make split-second decisions based on what they see in front of them. This is why continuity is so important at the quarterback position.
Having to learn an offense can be challenging, which is why having a player under center who already knows the offense like the back of their hand is so important. The Trojan football team is lucky enough to have a returning field general in two-year starter, junior Damon Hockett.
“Damon has just grown so much,” head coach Aaron Mingo said. “Not only his ability, but his confidence I think has been the most dramatic growth for him.”
Hockett’s first season at the helm as a sophomore was a tumultuous one. Playing in all but one game, he completed 54.7% of his passes for 1149 yards. He had seven touchdowns on the year to go along with eight interceptions which gave him a QBR of 106.3.
When you compare his sophomore season with this season it is like night and day. This season, Hockett has more touchdowns and more yards in fewer games played. He has completed 59.5% of his passes for 1228 yards and 12 touchdowns through seven games and has only thrown two interceptions this year.
“The coaches have been really key in my development,” Hockett said. “I have really seen some big differences in not only my footwork but just my confidence.”
The team has been improving right along with Hockett, going from 2-9 the previous season to their best season since 1999, sitting with an 8-2 record. One of the biggest differences this season has been the offensive efficiency.
Through ten games, the Trojans average 493.5 yards per game with 51.2 points per game. Last year Taylor only averaged 343 YPG and 24.6 PPG. Hockett is a large part of why the Trojans have improved so much.
“Having him back there commanding the offense the way he does, it really takes the pressure off of you as a coach,” Mingo said. “He’s someone who I know who is gonna go out there and do his job every play.”
In the Trojans home matchup against No. 7 Marian, Hockett went down with what appeared to be a season-ending leg injury. Hockett would miss the next three games, but his injury was not as bad as was feared, only being a mid-foot sprain.
Hockett had to focus on preparing the next guy up during his time on the sidelines, which was freshman Jake Halderman.
“It was pretty difficult because mentally you’re struggling because you just want to play,” Hockett said. “But my job became building up and preparing the next guy. And then focusing on getting back.”
With Hockett at the helm for their last regular season game this team has the chance to be the first nine win squad since 1999. The Concordia Cardinals 5-5 (3-1) stand in their way. The Trojans will play them on Nov. 16 at noon in Upland, IN.
