Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
Lansing Catholic Central caught lightning in a bottle in 2016 when then-junior quarterback Michael Lynn opted to transfer from nearby Lansing Sexton High School.
There were many reasons Lynn opted to switch schools and it turned out to be a mutually beneficial choice as he began the season as the Cougars starting quarterback and led the way to an 8-2 record.
But the LCC offense Lynn inherited last year largely graduated, leaving him as the only returning offensive starter on this year’s roster.
Lynn is not shying away from the challenge of being counted on so heavily by a team so inexperienced around him.
“I played on varsity at Sexton as a sophomore and I had a great senior group around me,” Lynn said. “Being a quarterback, you’re sort of a leader in a sense no matter how old you are. I always remember that. And being a senior quarterback and the only returning starter, it’s no one else. It has to be me.”
The decision to transfer from Sexton was difficult for Lynn, but he knew it in the best interests for his future.
“In football terms, we felt the system we ran at Sexton wasn’t meant for me or the quarterback I am.” Lynn admitted. “I’m a dual threat and Sexton is more of a pro-style team. They’re transitioning now with a young quarterback who I like, but at the time it wasn’t what I needed.”
“And from a school perspective, it’s true when they say going to Lansing Catholic prepares you for college. My ACT scores shot up six points after I transferred here. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Lynn compiled very strong numbers within the spread system, showing his athleticism in rushing for 23 touchdowns in 10 games. He carried the rock 201 times for 1,100 yards and rushed for at least 100 yards nine times,
He also completed 129-of-201 passes through the air for 1,741 yards, throwing eight TDs and nine interceptions.
“In camp this month coaches are noticing and even I’m noticing that I’m making better decisions with the football,” Lynn said. “It’s a tough system to come into and learn through one summer. But I played all last year and now they’re noticing I have the reads down. I know where I’m going with the ball and I feel a lot more comfortable with everything.”
Lynn is under the tutelage of long-time prep head coach Jim Ahern, who previously helped develop former Central Michigan quarterback Cooper Rush and current CMU QB Tony Poljan.
“Keeping in mind how long [Coach Ahern] has been doing this, it’s almost like ‘wow’, Lynn added. “Because if he says something, he knows what he’s talking about. Whether it’s about X’s & O’s or whether it’s about character, you know you can trust him.”
Ahern is counting on a lot from Lynn in 2017, but he knows he has a quarterback who can shoulder a lot of the load.
“Michael is a lot different than Cooper or Tony,” Ahern said. “Both of those guys are quite a bit bigger than Michael is, but he’s a lot quicker than both of them. He’s probably a better runner, but also a very adequate passer. He’s a very good play-action passer. They’re all different quarterbacks, but they all have their strengths and try to build it around what they can do best.”
Lynn currently has offers from Concordia-Ann Arbor, Northwood and Siena Heights.