Food for Thought : Agoura’s Young Quarterback Receives Dinner-Table Advice From Rival, Seasoned Players

Psychological mending was in order for a certain high school quarterback, an unspoiled, unproven 15-year-old sophomore whose varsity debut had been one long downward spiral.

Coaches, parents and pals provided compassionate pats on the back to Ryan McCann of Agoura High in the wake of six sacks, five-of-11 passing and a 51-6 drubbing by Chaminade last Friday. But he found genuine understanding from a group that would seem at once unlikely and reluctant: three opposing Marmonte League quarterbacks.

McCann broke bread, cracked crab legs and traded football horror stories and visions of glory over dinner one night this week with Chris Czernek of Newbury Park, Scott McEwan of Thousand Oaks and Joe Borchard of Camarillo.

Those three share more than a position with McCann: All were thrust into the starting lineup last season as sophomores.

All endured times so bad they probably thought the movie “Clueless” was a documentary of their sophomore seasons.

All grew into their roles by learning on the job, earning respect and exhibiting flashes of brilliance.

All are considered among the top juniors in the area and anticipate bright futures.

They would seem to have futures as counselors as well. They advised McCann to find some seniors who would take him under their wing, but cautioned him not to snub younger, longtime friends playing on the junior varsity. “You’ll be teammates again next year,” McEwan told him.

They discussed the importance of a quarterback coach, someone able to provide one-on-one instruction. They told McCann to develop a bond with a sophomore receiver--in McCann’s case Chris Poling--so that a three-year plan could be shared.

And they urged him to remember that the worst of times will pass, to button up the chin strap and keep on passing through the pain.

Like members of some 12-step program, the quarterbacks took turns confessing experiences good, bad and awe-struck.

“The first time I ran on the field last year it looked so huge, like a great big ocean, and I was horrified,” Czernek said. “The improvement will come naturally the more you play.”

It has for Czernek, who didn’t let crossing a great big ocean spoil his debut this season. He passed for four touchdowns and an area-high 376 yards in Newbury Park’s victory over Waimea, Kauai.

McCann admitted he felt intimidated walking to the line of scrimmage and seeing Chaminade’s 6-foot-3 and 6-foot-5 outside linebackers poised to blitz. “I looked at the secondary first, then I’d look at their outside linebackers and realize I’d have no time,” he said. “I finally told myself to look at the receivers. I got killed anyway.”

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McEwan of Thousand Oaks experienced the same gut-wrenching sensation facing Hart in his second varsity game, a 42-14 defeat. “The last play before halftime I was hit so hard I almost passed out,” he said. “I barely made it into the locker room.”

What a difference a year makes. McEwan, a 6-3 prototype drop-back passer with college potential who threw for 780 yards last year, can’t wait to take the field this season, excitedly pointing out that his coaches have promised to call more pass plays.

Borchard endured a 1-9 sophomore season at Camarillo. He nodded knowingly when McCann said, “I had no time to throw. My receivers told me by the time they ran eight yards downfield they heard the whistle.”

Said Borchard: “You look at any linebacker when you’re a sophomore and you are scared. And after they tackle you, they yell in your face.”

Borchard, a 6-3 three-sport athlete with the league’s strongest arm, lets his performance speak for itself. He passed for 1,231 yards last year and opposing coaches say he has Division I tools.

Surprisingly, humility was passed around the table as easily as the drawn butter. Don’t quarterbacks have a reputation for being macho and vain? Wasn’t Joe Namath’s autobiography titled, “I Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow Because I Get Better Looking Every Day.”?

These guys freely admitted their failings, giving McCann reason to believe better days are ahead.

And well he should. The 6-3 left-handed passer led Agoura to a share of the sophomore championship as a freshman. This year he is part of a team that starts only five seniors. Coach Charlie Wegher, a former quarterback himself, installed the run-and-shoot this year specifically to build the offense around McCann’s passing potential.

Newbury Park runs a similar offense, and Czernek passed along a pearl of wisdom. “When they blitz, throw over the middle, it’s always there,” he said.

McCann listened intently as the others offered encouraging tales of the moments they came of age, the nights they were listed as sophomores on the program but performed like seniors on the field.

McEwan recalled throwing his first touchdown pass, against eventual league champion Westlake no less. “I was pretty stoked, it was a good feeling,” he said.

Borchard and Czernek also described their first touchdown passes, and McCann laughed excitedly. “I’m ready for that,” he said.

Exhibiting leadership in the huddle before having thrown even a single scoring pass is daunting to a sophomore staring into the faces of veteran players.

“Don’t fake it,” said Borchard, the only one of the four who is a team captain. “Let the seniors be leaders and just do your job. They’ll respect you when you play well.”

Improving their skills by attending summer quarterback camps is something they all have done or plan to do. Yet, all four play baseball, and Borchard also plays basketball. They lamented that developing as a quarterback is a full-time, year-round job. Other sports inevitably suffer.

McCann has been invited to play on a baseball scout team on Sundays this fall, something Borchard already does. McEwan and Czernek shook their heads as if to indicate even considering such a notion is nuts.

“It’s football season,” Czernek said.

Nearly the entire season lies ahead, each Friday night another rung in a ladder that McCann hopes will lead to maturity. As with the three juniors, along the way should come that first touchdown pass, that first victory.

“That is the sweetest,” Borchard said. “Winning.”

Victories take a lot more than a talented quarterback, a fact not lost on this group. The meal was over and they were asked which topic in their discussion was the most important.

Czernek, McEwan and Borchard all had the same reply.

McCann, the rookie, made the sentiment unanimous, and in the process took a long step toward becoming a seasoned quarterback.

“My teammates,” he said. “Remember that we gave credit to our linemen and receivers.”

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Sophomore Quarterbacks in the Area

(Player, School: Last week)

Grant Livermont, Palmdale: 4-6-83, 2 TD, 0 INT

Adrian Maciel, Santa Clara: 4-15-51, 1 TD, 1 INT

Ryan Martinez, Chatsworth: 4-11-28, 0 TD, 3 INT

Ryan McCann, Agoura: 5-11-34, 0 TD, 0 INT

Willie Zavala, Santa Paula: 4-13-25, 1 TD, 1 INT