Owen Snyder is ready to begin his third season as the starting quarterback for Ida's football team.
IDA – Owen Snyder’s first pass attempt for Ida’s varsity football team is seared into his memory.
“It was a playoff game against Clinton,” he recalled. “I rolled to my right and threw it, I think to Kirby Carsten, and the Clinton guy picked it off.”
It was an inauspicious start.
But, to be fair to Snyder, he never was supposed appear in the playoff game.
He was a freshman summoned to the varsity for the playoffs. He was forced into action when starter Nathan Miller went down with an injury.
“He got beat up in that game,” Snyder said of Miller. “He was also playing defense and had like 20 tackles.”
The interception was crucial in Snyder’s development.
“It motivated me to go out and do better,” he said. “It made me hungry.”
Snyder took over as Ida’s starting QB the next fall and has held that job ever since. He is preparing for his third season of leading the Blue Streak offense.
“It helps a ton,” Ida coach Jeff Potter said of having a veteran at quarterback. “He makes good decisions and carries out his fakes well.”
Ida doesn’t ask its QBs to throw much. Snyder had just 425 passing yards during last year’s 9-2 season that ended with a loss to eventual state champion Jackson Lumen Christi in the second round of the Division 6 playoffs.
Snyder’s leadership was essential.
“He commands the huddle,” Potter said. “The other guys look up to him.”
Snyder said he draws on his experience.
“I know what everyone is supposed to do,” he said. “And I’m calm because I’ve been at the position for a couple of years. … I just need to make good decisions and lead the team.”
The Blue Streaks trust his leadership.
“It’s rare to see, but he’s almost perfect,” said senior linebacker-fullback Dylan Jarrett. “Everything flows so smoothly with him.”
Snyder will lead what should be a strong team.
The Blue Streaks have eight starters back on defense and seven on offense.
“We return a lot of kids,” Potter said. “We did lose some key guys with experience. The guys replacing them have go grow up in a hurry.’
The Blue Streaks have a tradition of grooming outstanding offensive linemen. That should continue this fall with of last year’s starters back.
“We had young kids last year, who had to grow and improve,” Potter said. “I see the same thing happening this year.
“We don’t have much depth.”
Gavin Albring, who ran for 945 yards last season, figures to be the top ballcarrier for the Blue Streaks.
“We could be as good if not better than last year,” he said. “We lost a lot of big names, but we have a lot of good players.”
Snyder agrees.
“We can be as good as last year,” he said. “We have a good chance to win the league (Lenawee County Athletic Association).”
TRAINING CAMPS
IDA SCHEDULE
Aug. 28: at Grosse Ile, 7 p.m.
Sept. 5: HUDSON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12: at Hillsdale, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19: at Onsted, 7 p.m.
Sept. 26: BLISSFIELD, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3: ADRIAN MADISON, 7 p.m.
Oct. 10: at Dundee, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: CLINTON, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24: BIRCH RUN, 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: High school football training camps: Ida puts faith in its veteran QB
Category: General Sports