Marin Catholic QB rates with best in school history
The lineage of great Marin Catholic-Kentfield quarterbacks over the past decade, which includes NFL No. 1 draft pick Jared Goff, could intimidate someone playing the position for the school.
But Spencer Petras stands tall and sturdy in the pocket against history.
The Wildcats’ 6-foot-5, 225pound senior is in the midst of perhaps the greatest season ever at Marin Catholic.
Considering Goff — The Chronicle’s 2012 Metro Player of the Year who piled up 7,687 career passing yards and 93 touchdowns — was followed by All-Metro QBs Morgan Mahalak (Oregon signee now at Towson State) and Darius-James Peterson (College of Idaho), that’s saying something.
“It can be a little intimidating to play the position (at Marin Catholic) but I’ve just tried to embrace it,” said Petras, who has broken his own passingyardage mark for a game three times this season, the last time throwing for 448 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-39 North Coast Section Division 3 quarterfinal home win over Miramonte-Orinda last week. The top-seeded Wildcats (10-0) host defending champion Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (9-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“I think it’s awesome to be able to look at old tape of all guys over the years and size yourself up against them. I think it’s a good way to go.”
Peterson — who rushed for 1,011 yards and passed for 1,820 yards at College of Idaho this season — and Mahalak were much more dual threats than Petras, making the comparison to Goff a natural one, though probably unfair.
From poise, pocket presence, accuracy and arm strength, Goff was pretty flawless in all areas, Marin Catholic coach Mazi Moayed said. It’s largely why the Wildcats went 39-4 over three seasons and won a 2012 Northern California title.
Moayed said he leaves comparisons to everyone else. He does describe Petras like this: “He’s an ultra competitive guy. He wants to get the most out of himself. He’s got a big heart. He’s a tough kid with incredible tools. He’s got a majorleague arm. He has good pocket presence and keeps his eyes down field.”
Petras, who grew up playing soccer, basketball and baseball primarily, didn’t play tackle football until he was in the eighth grade. He dropped everything but football when he entered Marin Catholic and picked up track and field in the spring to work on his speed.
He ran sprints, relays and did the shot put. And last spring, he added the 300-meter hurdles, which is among the most grueling running events in the sport. “It was fun — I loved it,” Petras said.
Said Moayed: “He has good speed. He won’t be a dual threat in college but he’ll be athletic enough.”
Petras, an Oregon State commit, began as a lineman in the ninth grade but coaches immediately noticed his arm. “I could always throw it,” Petras said. Moayed says he hasn’t coached or seen a prep with a stronger or more lively arm.
“The ball just jumps out of his hand,” Moayed said. “It’s pretty impressive.”
He also hasn’t seen a player make greater improvements from his junior to senior year. Not that Petras was shabby last year, when in 14 games, he completed 172 of 305 passes for 3,036 yards and 33 touchdowns with eight interceptions.
In four fewer games and 90 fewer attempts this season, he has thrown for 37 more yards and seven more touchdowns. His completion rate is more than 13 percent higher this season and he has thrown just two interceptions.
“As good as he is, Spencer’s upside is still tremendous, which is scary,” Moayed said. “Physically, he is still growing. He’s a grinder on and off the field. He gets after it in the weight room.”
Said Petras: “There’s always room for improvement.”
He and the Wildcats will need to improve another notch Saturday to defeat O’Dowd, the defending NCS D3 and CIF State 5-AA champion. The Dragons have upward of eight Division I players.
O’Dowd ended Marin Catholic’s 2016 season with a 27-7 decision in an NCS final at Diablo Valley College.
“Last year is last year,” Petras said. “It won’t affect what happens Saturday. But it will definitely serve as an inspiration for us.”