Overshadowed in Lake’s 26-21 defeat to Fostoria last week was another terrific performance by freshman quarterback Jared Rettig.

Rettig completed 15-of-27 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns, a performance preceded by Lake’s 42-7 homecoming victory over Rossford. Rettig passed for a career-high 357 yards and five touchdowns in the rout and has completed 53-of-91 passes this season for 953 yards and nine touchdowns.

“If you look at the stats it's obvious that Jared had a great night against Rossford, but all of our receivers played well and had numerous catches,” fifth-year coach Bob Abbey said. “None of that would have happened if our offensive line didn't do its job and protect Jared so he could have time to make those throws.”

A Lake lineman, Tim Lohmann (23) closes in on Northview senior quarterback Brandyn Hall. The Wildcats, behind a new coach, went 29-14 in non-league action. (Photo courtesy of Innovations Portrait Studios)

None of it would have happened if it were not for a couple of consummate team players on Abbey’s roster who made large sacrifices and changed positions early in the season for the betterment of the team.

Among the pair is senior Nathan Pennington, the team’s starting quarterback and MVP last season. Pennington, who threw for 947 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, has been a valuable asset in the backfield and team leader. Pennington leads the Flyers in rushing with 303 yards on 70 carries.

“Nathan took Jared under his wing and brought him along during two-a-days,” Abbey said. “Without his leadership and willingness to help Jared develop and learn our system, we wouldn't have stayed together as a team when we made the move to start a freshman quarterback.”

Tim Lohmann expected to get the bulk of the carries for the Flyers but willingly changed positions with Pennington to make room for Rettig. The team’s second-leading rusher who ran for 374 yards in 2010, Lohmann is now one of Lake’s top passing targets at the flanker position.

“We made the changes because we were turning the ball over and not being as effective as we could be both running and throwing the football,” said Abbey, who credited Lohmann and Pennington with preventing a destruction of team unity as a result of the changes.

“Anytime a coach moves a senior from one position to another,” he continued, “especially high profile positions like quarterback and tailback, there is a chance that the move could fracture the team chemistry.

“Nathan and Tim accepted the change of position, worked hard to learn the nuances of their new positions, and remained team players and leaders on the field and in the locker room.”

Despite a 3-5 record, Abbey insists that his football team has improved as a result of the position changes and said the future looks bright for his young quarterback. Lake’s offense is averaging nearly 28 points per game over its last three games.

“We became a better football team after the changes,” Abbey said. “Obviously, there is going to be a learning curve when you move a freshman into the QB spot, but we believe we are a better team now and will be better in the future because of it.”

Pennington and Lohmann are not the only two who have eased the pressure on their freshman signal caller. Rettig’s transition into one of the Northern Buckeye Conference’s most prolific passers has also been aided by the play of talented junior wide receiver Ben Swartz.

Swartz played a key role in Lake’s win over Rossford, finishing with a game-high eight receptions for a school-record 221 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the team with 24 catches for 580 yards.

“Ben is our biggest threat right now,” Abbey said. “He's gotten much better at route running this season and his speed allows him to create separation from defenders. Jared is confident in throwing the deep ball to him because he’s always where he's supposed to be and can outrun defenders.”

Abbey said Rettig is further developed than past freshman quarterbacks he has coached and attributed his early success to his football intelligence and work ethic.

“He's very coachable and wants to learn as much as he can and as quickly as he can. He's able to stay focused down field as pressure moves in on him and is willing to stand in the pocket and take hits,” Abbey said.

After its game with Otsego Friday night, Lake closes the season on the road at Woodmore this upcoming Friday.

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