Seneca Valley quarterback Jack Cook burst onto the scene last season as a dangerous weapon with both his arm and his legs. He passed for 14 touchdowns and also rushed for 429 yards.

JACKSON TWP — If Jack Cook's first year as a starting quarterback would have turned out to be a mere stepping stone, no one would have held it against him.

But Seneca Valley's signal caller managed so much more than that as a junior in 2015, turning in an all-star performance.

Cook completed 109 of 186 passes for 14 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. Throw in 429 yards rushing and six more scores and it's easy to see why Cook was a unanimous pick for the Butler Eagle's Sweet 16 Offensive All-Star Team.

He is eager to see what his senior campaign has to offer.

“Last year was a good season for me,” Cook said. “I'd like to add more to my stats this year, but as long as we win, that's what matters to me.”

Raider coach Dave Vestal was impressed with the intangibles Cook brought to the position.

“Jack understands the game very well,” he said. “He threw two interceptions and one of those was on a tipped pass. He had a lot of trust in his own decision making.”

Some quarterbacks who have the ability to run like Cook may be quick to pull the ball down on passing plays, but he remained committed to making a play through the air as long as possible.

“I stay in the pocket as long as I can,” he said, “but if I go through my reads and nothing is there and it comes time to pull it down and run, I know I have the ability to do that.”

“We work very hard on our (pass) protection, but if it does break down, Jack can turn it into a positive,” Vestal said. “He takes what the defense gives him.”

Cook put in work this offseason to become a better quarterback.

“I worked with (Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback) Bruce Gradkowski and (former University of Pittsburgh players) Rod Rutherford and Darnell Dinkins. I threw the ball a lot in 7-on-7 drills and that has helped my arm strength going into this season.”

Cook's contributions will not be limited to offense. He started on defense last year at both free safety and cornerback and will see time in the defensive backfield again this season. In addition, he could also be used as a punter.

“You have to put your best kids on the field as much as possible,” said Vestal. “You can't be worried about them getting hurt. Jack can do pretty much anything on the field.”

Cook welcomes the opportunity.

“I like playing different positions. It helps me and the team,” he said. “But we do have depth if I need a breather on defense.”

Seneca Valley went 5-4 in the regular season last year before dropping a 48-0 decision in the first round of the WPIAL Quad A playoffs at McKeesport. The Raider offense, which was good for big plays every week prior to the postseason, was virtually dormant against the Tigers.

“The guys coming back, we know what the playoff experience is like,” Cook said. “We don't want to get to the first round and get shut out again.”

“A loss like that sticks with you, it's the last game you played,” said Vestal of SV's playoff defeat last November. “That game was not one of our best performances, for sure. We played a very good team on a short week.

“I know Jack is determined to help make our football team the best it can be. His leadership and decision making will have a lot to do with that.”