Sports

Friday, October 25, 2002

BHS football in command with Brown


Strong-armed QB, Raiders out to end regular season 9-0


By Randy Reinhardt
Pantagraph staff

BLOOMINGTON -- When Bloomington High School quarterback Andre Brown runs with the football he takes BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer's nerves with him.

"Coach is confident in my ability to make plays out of the pocket as well," Brown said Thursday. 'But I think he winces every time he sees me out there getting ready to take a hit."

At a solid 6-foot-1 and 215 pounds, Brown is certainly well equipped to absorb tackles. Yet one can hardly blame Schmelzer for preferring the more aesthetically pleasing experience of watching Brown unleash his powerful arm.

"Andre does well under pressure. But sometimes he leaves the pocket too early," Schmelzer said. "I would like to see him use his arm strength to deliver the ball (instead of run). His arm is equal to anybody we've had and with (former all-stater Billy) Dicken that says a lot.

"His elusiveness is not bad. Once he gets a head of steam going he can go right through you. But you would rather keep him healthy."

Brown, whose passing ability and not his foot speed have attracted the attention of numerous college programs, has thrown for 1,290 yards and 19 touchdowns while being intercepted just once in 120 attempts.

That improved decision-making is among the reasons BHS is trying to close out its third consecutive undefeated regular season today in a 7 p.m. game against Champaign Centennial at Fred Carlton Field.

"Andre has good command of the offense. He moves kids around and recognizes what he needs to have to run certain plays," Schmelzer said. "He's made proper audibles that have been successful for big gains. He's made good strides from last year."

"I think he's changed a lot. As a freshman and sophomore, he made a lot of bonehead reads," said offensive tackle Andrew Kernes of Brown.

"Now he's taking his leadership role to the next level. He sets a good example. He's worked hard. He knows he's got a talent not a lot of guys have."

Brown, who placed third in the national Punt, Pass and Kick competition at age 11, believes a Division I-A scholarship is in his future.

"I feel like if I take care of business on the field and in the classroom the college choices will be there," he said. "Hopefully, I'll walk into the right situation to get some playing time somewhere at the next level. I'm shooting for Division I. I'm pretty confident that's going to happen."

Brown's biggest negative to college recruiters is his foot speed.

"My speed is always questioned by coaches, but I get the job done on the field," he said. "I feel like I can make plays. The most important thing is to be able to get the win. People see I'm able to do that. I have done that, and I plan on continuing to do it not only this year but at the next level."

At 6-5 and 275 pounds, Kernes is a college prospect in his own right.

"He's aggressive, he's competitive. He doesn't back down from anybody," Schmelzer said of his right tackle. "He looks forward to the challenge of being placed against good (defensive) linemen."

"For a big guy I've got pretty quick feet," Kernes said. "I move pretty well laterally, forward and backward. But on my run blocking I play a little high. At the next level that's going to catch up to me because everybody will be just as big and strong as I am. One big thing I need to work on is to stay low."

Still developing as an offensive lineman, Kernes could end up at a high profile college program on the strength of his punt snapping ability.

"I really didn't start trying real hard on it until this summer when I started going to these college camps," Kernes said. "I would do it and they would ask 'do you practice every day.' I said 'no, I just come out here and do it.'"

Brown and Kernes are two key ingredients in a BHS offense that ranks fifth in the Pantagraph area at 40.3 points per game.

Tailback James Wade (1,013 yards) and fullback Damon Mehlberg (445 yards) handle the rushing duties, while Brown's receiving targets include Chad Olson and Eric Esch.

Blocking support comes from the all-senior offensive line of Kernes, tackle Brett Sides, guard Dan Higby, guard Tyler Noonan and center David Witt.

At 8-0 and seeking their 34th straight regular-season win, the Big 12 West Conference champion Purple Raiders go for the unofficial Big 12 overall title today against 7-1 Centennial, the Big 12 East champs. BHS is ranked third in Class 6A, with Centennial sixth.

"It's a great way to end the regular season and also gear up for the playoffs," Schmelzer said. "They're very big and physical and disciplined. They're aggressive on defense. They play tight up with their secondary and challenge you to throw the football."