JUST LIKE OLD TIMES
With QB Behrens back in fold, Blue Devils sense success
Adam Behrens’ future isn’t in football. The Arizona State baseball recruit will focus on pitching in college.
A 6-3, 210-pound senior at Warren, Behrens throws in the low 90s with a good changeup and curveball. But he’ll be tossing a pigskin at quarterback this fall after he took last year off from football. His return isn’t because of any strategic, multisport playing philosophy. He’s back with the football team for the best reason.
“It’s my senior year, and that’s special,” he said. “I want to have, like, a special, teenage high school senior year. So I’m taking off baseball for the fall. I’ll give my arm a break and throw the football.”
Warren coach Brian McNulty is thrilled. “We’re really excited about Adam,” McNulty said. “He was our starter as a sophomore [on varsity], and it’s great to have him back.”
The Blue Devils’ seniors believe everything is back in its right place now that Behrens has returned.
“I feel like Adam is the best quarterback I’ve ever seen,” said defensive back and wide receiver Cassius Callahan, one of five starters back on a defense that posted six shutouts last season. “Adam and I have been building chemistry since freshman year. It feels like our freshman team is all back together.”
Behrens should be well-protected. While Warren’s defense is usually one of the best in the state, the offensive line could be the team’s strength this season. Seniors Kole Weinberg, Cohen Pye, Erik Rissmann and junior Jaivin Young are all returning.
“There’s a lot of experience,” McNulty said. “We have a couple of three-year starters, some big tackles and two tight ends that have been with us for three years.”
Senior Charley Thompson (5-10, 185) will take over at running back for standout Maurice Edwards, who graduated and is now at Vanderbilt.
“He’s new to football,” McNulty said of Thompson. “He just started playing sophomore year and was a gymnast before that. He backed up Maurice last year.”
Senior defensive back and receiver Jailen Duffie, a North Dakota State recruit, shapes up as Warren’s standout talent this fall.
“He helps on both sides of the ball a lot more now,” McNulty said. “He’s just more confident. He’s a three-year starter and a leader. He’s playing safety and corner, slot and running back. He’s a weapon.”
Duffie said the offense is now more skilled. He joined the chorus of praise for Behrens.
“I just remember how perfect the balls were from him,” Duffie said. “I can’t wait to get out there and score some touchdowns. This offense is going to put up some points, and defense will keep ballin’.”
Expectations were higher last season for the Blue Devils, who spent a week as the topranked team in the Super 25. They finished 9-2 and fell in an upset to Glenbard North in the second round of the playoffs.
“It’s high school football, so we don’t know what to expect this season,” McNulty said. “In 2018, Loyola won the state championship after going 6-3 [in the regular season]. We are pretty confident that there isn’t a game that we won’t be in, so we have a chance to be successful. The sky is the limit with this group as we get more experienced.”