High schools
Quarterback Connor Rogers has big shoes to fill at Wellington this coming season.
WELLINGTON — Connor Rogers knows he has big shoes to fill.
Each of the past three seasons, Wellington has had a senior quarterback step into the starting role and put up gaudy passing numbers in their first season running the offense.
In 2014, Shannon Patrick threw for 3,438 yards and a Palm Beach County singleseason record 49 touchdowns. The next season, Blake Dever passed for 2,783 yards and 31 touchdowns. Last year, Ben Schmickle tossed for 2,303 yards and 23 scores.
Rogers is now the latest Wolverine senior to take the snaps and he’s hoping to keep the legacy going.
“We had three big quarterbacks from the past three seasons, so I’ve got to follow in their footsteps and step up,” said Rogers. “Tough schedule, tough teams. I’ve got to step up and put up a lot of points on the board.”
At 6 feet 3, 200 pounds, Rogers fits the mold of a prototypical quarterback. The senior’s journey to the starting role, though, wasn’t the usual one. While he started the season as the team’s backup quarterback, the coaching staff switched him to receiver to utilize his size and athleticism. Rogers said playing receiver paid dividends and helped give him a new outlook at quarterback.
“Last year was like a redshirt season,” said Rogers. “From a receiver’s perspective, I know where they want the ball coming from the quarterback, so I feel pretty comfortable.”
The Wellington coaching staff feels confident as well as Rogers looks to guide the team to a second straight district title. Wolverines coach Thomas Abel, who coached the previous three quarterbacks as well, said he’s excelled during spring and fall workouts and thinks he’s ready to be the next man up.
“We feel great. We groomed him last year,” said Abel. “It’s kind of like the movie ‘Friday Night Lights’ when the coach goes to the quarterback’s house, sits down and says ‘Are you ready for this?’ He’s not battle-tested yet in the big situations, but once he gets a couple under his belt I think we’ll be off and rolling.”
While Rogers has no offers yet, he’s hopeful they’ll come in once colleges see him play a full season at quarterback. As for his goals this season, the senior says he’s hoping to throw for over 3,000 yards and top Patrick’s school record.
Rogers’ teammates are all in.
“I feel like he can be the best quarterback to come through this school,” said junior running back Mark Antony Richards. “He can be one of the best quarterbacks in the state of Florida. He’s very underrated, but this is his year to prove it.”