Meet the new QBs: 5 of area's top programs breaking in new quarterbacks

Five of the biggest high school football brands in the area will send new quarterbacks into the huddle when the 2024 season kicks off Friday night. One senior (Edison's Abe Hermes), three juniors (Sandusky's Dale Johnson, Perkins' Sam Schweinfurth, Huron's Landon Hohler) and one sophomore (Bellevue's Ike Brown) will play major roles at QB1 as each of those schools chase playoff berths and more. "It's like a childhood dream," said Johnson. "I always dreamed of being QB1 when I was a waterboy for the high school team at Perkins, and now I'm at Sandusky. I always watched other ones and now I am one." Johnson, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 185 pounds, turned 16 earlier this month, but carries himself like someone much older. He enrolled at Sandusky prior to his freshman year. "We've been seeing maturity," Sandusky coach Jamaris Brown said. "Last year he started a couple games, but you can tell that he's made adjustments and made progress. "The biggest thing with him is he's creating those relationships with his receivers, with his O-line and running backs. He understands it's about the trust and accountability." When asked about his best attributes, Johnson doesn't hesitate: "Arm power. Deep throwing. Accuracy." In a game at Vermilion last season, Johnson was inserted into the game for the final play of the first half and threw a Hail Mary pass from beyond midfield for a touchdown. A quick flick of the wrist yielded six points. "My main focus is to get them the ball, not try to do too much," he said. "Get it to them in space and let them work." Johnson, who also plays basketball, completed 16 of 43 passes for four touchdowns last year. Jason Henlon, who started the past two years, moves out to the perimeter this season and will miss some time after undergoing minor knee surgery. Sandusky opens against Oregon Clay at Strobel Field. Clay defeated the Blue Streaks 33-32 last year when quarterback Mason Heintschel avoided a sack and threw a touchdown pass on the game's final play. Heintschel has committed to play college ball at Pittsburgh. "If anything it adds some confidence," Brown said of Johnson lining up against a guy who threw 33 touchdown passes last year. "I think he wants to show that kid he's just as good if not better. He's not gonna back down from any competition. "We're seeing a Division I quarterback right away. Last year he beat us in the last second. We really gotta bring it. Our kids are hungry." The same can be said about Perkins and Schweinfurth, who completed 17 of 20 passes for two touchdowns last season as a backup to record-setting quarterback Logan Lesch. "It was amazing knowing I was coming into this offense with all this talent around me," Schweinfurth said. "I knew it would be a good opportunity. The ball starts with me. Whether it's a handoff or finding an open receiver, I have to make the play." Schweinfurth, who also plays basketball and baseball, has been a QB since his flag football days. His older brother Matt was a quarterback at Perkins. "He was happy for me," Schweinfurth said of his brother. "He said I need to know all the plays and find open receivers and I'll be fine." Schweinfurth has another former QB, head coach Jalen Santoro, to lean on. Santoro led Bellevue to the 2012 state championship game as a standout quarterback. "Him playing the position and getting all the way to the state level is great for me," Schweinfurth said. "He knows what to do and how to make people comfortable." Santoro likes what he sees from his new quarterback. "He's not bothered by much," Santoro said. "He's the type of kid who could throw three touchdowns and come to the sidelines the same way as if he threw three picks. He's unfazed by a lot of things. Obviously playing that position that's not a bad quality to have. "Sam likes to get the ball out quick. Ideally you take what the defense gives you." Perkins, which made it to a regional final last year, opens the season at home Friday against Clear Fork. Edison, which made a deep playoff run in 2023, opens on the road against Firelands. Hermes was 2 for 2 for 60 yards and a touchdown last year as quarterback Marcus Medina piled up big stats. Hermes was a standout on defense with 53 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. The Chargers' new starter steps into a good situation. Edison has an experienced team and several good running backs. Also, Hermes is used to the spotlight. He is a state champion wrestler and a starter on the Chargers' baseball team. "We've seen what he's done across the board and we believe in what he can do," Edison coach Jim Hall said. "He steps in with a lot of confidence and has a pretty good skillset for the position. "He gets the ball out quick and still has velocity on it." Huron will turn to another Hohler at quarterback. Landon will be the third Hohler to start at the key position in recent years. Like Hermes, Landon Hohler is no stranger to athletic success. He is a standout basketball player and will take the mound next spring as one of the best baseball pitchers in the area. He'll also start at safety, where he made 88 tackles as a sophomore. Hohler did complete one pass last year for 36 yards. "Other than playing quarterback on Friday nights, he's played varsity sports since he was a freshman," Huron coach Sam Hohler said. "We have a lot of confidence in him." Bellevue coach Ed Nasonti is confident his new quarterback can do the job. Brown completed 1 of 2 passes last year and ran the ball 22 times for 88 yards as a freshman. Nasonti has no problem using a sophomore at quarterback. Like the other new starting quarterbacks, Brown is a multi-sport athlete. He also plays basketball and baseball. "It's not uncommon for us to start sophomore quarterbacks," Nasonti said. "We like to have them for three years and he's that type of athlete. "He was a backup last year and got some wildcat reps. We invested time in him to get him ready. He's a good athlete, a hard-working kid and a leader. He's a great kid." ----- Week 1 lineup Clear Fork at Perkins Clyde at Bellevue Edison at Firelands Monroeville at Lakota Norwalk at Start Oregon Clay at Sandusky St. Paul at Huron Vermilion at Margaretta Waite at Port Clinton