By John Raffel
Chippewa Hills’ football team made the playoffs this year with a 7-2 record by using two effective quarterbacks.
DJ Lowery saw a lot of action behind center for the Warriors, but senior Slade Todd also got some time.
Lowery is a junior in his first varsity season. He was the junior varsity quarterback last year.
“Slade’s a senior, and I think they complement each other,” coach Larry Jose said. “DJ had a great off-season and did a lot of things very well. We knew he’d be ready to do it. DJ has taken more snaps at quarterback, but they both get reps there.”
If Lowery is not at quarterback, he’s at receiver, and ditto for Todd. They simply switch positions. “We have a two-quarterback system, we have for years,” Jose said. “Stats are going to be skewed a little bit. [Lowery] has run the ball a little bit better than what I expected this year. Throwing the ball, he still has a ways to go, and he’s a junior. He’s making mistakes now that he won’t next game. That’s true of every game he plays.”
Jose said Lowery excels as both a runner and a passer. “He has a very high football IQ,” Jose said. “Throwing the ball, he can throw it 50 yards down the field, or he can make a touch pass. No one is perfect, but he’s working and getting better every game. He’s had a lot of good games this year.”
Jose admires Todd for his toughness between the tackles.
The coaches usually don’t decide which quarterback to use based on what the defense is doing. “It’s more tempo of the game and what we’re having the receivers doing,” Jose said. “I can give the receivers a break. I can put the other one out there and have him run down the field. We run a no huddle. They switch spots right away and go right after it.”
The other players are used to both players at quarterback, Jose said. ‘”I think DJ probably has the stronger arm and is a little more accurate in throwing,” he added. “Slade is probably more accurate in play action and running between the tackles.”
Both players see action at cornerback. “DJ is our true cover corner,” Jose said “We’ll put him on the best receiver. Slade likes to mix it up a little more. Slade has more of a wrestler’s mentality, and DJ is more of a skilled player.”
Lowery made a successful transition from junior varsity to varsity. “For me, it’s adjustment to the speed of the game,” he said, adding that switching positions with Todd “works out pretty well. When I need a break, he can come in, and when he needs a break, I can come in. We help each other out.”
Lowery had a stellar game in the regular-season finale against Cheboygan. He ran the ball seven times for 112 yards and was 9 of 13 for 235 passing yards. Todd had one catch for 88 yards.