Ready to Lead
Already a leader on defense, Garret Schaffhauser has spent the summer preparing to be one on offense.
The senior outside linebacker will take over as Freeport's starting quarterback. As a tight end/wide receiver last year, Schaffhauser caught six passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.
“It's been more stressful this offseason, learning the whole offense and all the formations,” he admitted. “I have to be a leader that everybody can look up to, but I'm looking forward to it.”
Schaffhauser's confidence received a boost during a 7-on-7 competition at Juniata College this summer.
“We went up against teams from schools much bigger than we are and won five games,” he said. “That really helped me in reading defenses and different coverages.”
Schaffhauser (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) did see a few snaps at quarterback in 2018 for the Yellowjackets, completing one of his five passes for 17 yards. But with an entire summer spent preparing for the new role, Freeport coach John Gaillot has high hopes for Schaffhauser.
“He's a tough, hard-nosed kid,” he said. “He's not going to run around like Austin (Romanchak, previous starter) did, but he has some speed and a really good arm.”
Aiding Schaffhauser is a talented group of receivers. Wideouts Isiah Bauman and Brodey Woods and tight end Josh Bollinger, all seniors, combined for just 17 catches worth 128 yards last year for an offense that attempted only 126 passes all season. They expect to have more opportunities this year. Younger players are eager to contribute in the passing game and Gaillot described the receiving corps as “deep and athletic”.
“Our receivers all have speed and they block downfield and that's going to help,” said Schaffhauser.
Despite more responsibility on offense, Schaffhauser plans to bring the same type of production to the 'Jacket defense as he offered as a junior. He tallied 56 tackles, six sacks and six passes defensed. His big-play ability was first displayed with 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage his sophomore year.
“Playing quarterback ... it's varsity football and you have to be ready to get hit,” he said. “I've been a linebacker since my youth football days and it's always been my favorite position.”
“Garret pushes himself to be the best, watches the ball and gets good jumps,” said Gaillot. “He makes plays and kids feed off of that. It's huge for us to have him back on defense.”
