Oct. 13, 2014 By Will Bellamy - Johns Hopkins '17
Johns Hopkins Athletic Communications
BALTIMORE, MD - For three years,
Braden Anderson worked with the second and third string receivers, filled in for the starter when necessary and provided a sense of security to his coaches and teammates on the sidelines. All the while, the backup quarterback hoped that he would one day get a shot at starting under center.
Now, in his fourth season with the Johns Hopkins football team, Anderson has finally taken over as the leader of the offense. And he has wasted little time in proving that he can meet the challenges of his new role.
The senior has thrown for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns as the Blue Jays have rolled to wins in each of the first five games of their season.
"It's just a change in mentality. For the last three years, I've been preparing every week like I was going to start. (But) you go out on Saturdays and you're not that guy. You're still behind someone else," Anderson said. "This year, others look to me for leadership. They see me as the starter and the team has a lot of support for me."
But Anderson is not the only offensive player who has emerged this year after waiting in the wings during previous seasons. Seniors Martin Scheuring, Kyle Flynn and Zach Lorenz and juniors Rowan Cade, Baxter DeBruyn and Fernando Concepcion have all moved up the depth chart to play important roles along the offensive front this year.
Their efforts have mitigated the effect of losing four of the line's starters from 2013. The unit has surrendered a mere three sacks in five games and helped Stuart Walters, Brandon Cherry and the rest of the JHU ground attack average 244.2 rushing yards per contest.
"I trust every guy that goes out there," Anderson said. "I have been coming in sometimes when we're up by a lot late in the game the last couple of years and they've been the guys coming in with me."
Receivers Quinn Donaldson, Bradley Munday, Ryan Finkel and Evan Adamo have also seen their roles expand this year as the team has attempted to fill the hole left by Daniel Wodicka. Wodicka, the Centennial Conference career receptions leader, graduated last spring and is now coaching the Blue Jay receivers.
"(They) have been the guys I've been throwing to the past couple of years, so it's exciting to see them really excelling in their roles this season as well," Anderson said.
With so many players anxiously awaiting their chance to have an impact, the offense exploded out of the gates this season. The Blue Jays are currently averaging 40 points and 460.8 yards per game and have shown no signs of slowing down. Last week, they racked up 56 points against Juniata, including 35 in the first half alone. "I think we're finally getting to the point where we're starting to execute a little better," Anderson said.
If the offense continues to play the way that it has so far, the Blue Jays could find themselves in the running for another conference title and NCAA Division III tournament berth in November. But for now, Anderson and his band of former backups are focused on improving each week and enjoying the ride.
- Pride and Poise -
