PETOSKEY — It’s easy to forget and skip ahead in years when talking to Petoskey junior quarterback Lukas Nemec.
He’s been preparing to be the leader and in that role — with a mature attitude to back it — for so long that you might forget he was only a sophomore starting on varsity for the first time a year ago.
You forget he’s in the midst of just his second varsity offseason and with two full seasons ahead.
The second-year quarterback has just gone through an active start to summer and was back with his team Tuesday, July 7 for the first of a month of 7-on-7 action at Northmen Stadium.
“I’ve been busy, trying to be with my guys and here and there,” Nemec said. “It’s good to be back in the flow of things and excited for this season. I’m excited to see what we can do.”
Nemec will be the first in line to tell you not everything went to plan last season. There was a lot on the shoulders of a sophomore quarterback at the Division 3 level.
The Northmen missed the playoffs by one spot in D3, though they finished the season 4-1 down the stretch, after previously dropping two games late by less than a touchdown. He was one of six sophomores starting.
“Obviously last year we went through a lot of growing pains,” he said. “Some games cost us, but everything happens for a reason. We have to learn from it, bounce back and I’m honestly happy we went through it, because now I know what it feels like. We know what it feels like.”
Nemec has been active around the state this summer, making camp stops at Michigan State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan, along with the Manning Passing Academy. He’s made frequent trips to Grand Rapids to work with quarterbacks from around the state, led by known QB coach, Cheyne Lacanaria.
All along the way, he’s been thankful for every chance he’s had to get better.
“It was a lot of fun,” Nemec said. “I’m really thankful for my mom and dad, taking me down there. I had a blast, learned a lot of great things from a lot of great coaches. A lot of great athletes were there too, so it was a lot of fun.”
At many of the camp stops, he’s had fellow Petoskey teammates there with him, like offensive lineman Connor Berg and defensive end and tight end, Jace Shaw.
Both have had their recruitment pick up as seniors and it’s been fun for Nemec to watch.
“Those are my guys,” he said. “Jace has been working and he’s just a freak athlete. You saw that in football last year, basketball, track. A really great athlete in everything. Then Berg, he’s had a great offseason, picking up a lot of offers. I’m super happy and fortunate to have those guys playing with me. I’m sad to see them go after this year, but enjoying every moment with them.”
At 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, Nemec has a well-built frame for the position and perfect mechanics, throwing one of the nicest balls you’ll find.
With his dual-threat ability and downhill running ability with the ball, Nemec fits the perfect mold for Petoskey offensive coordinator and assistant head coach, Jared Webb.
He completed nearly 60 percent of his passes a year ago for 1,061 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions, then ran for 655 yards and 10 scores, never losing a fumble.
While there’s few things he needs to work on from a physical standpoint, he’s always putting focus into building chemistry with his teammates and improving.
“Obviously getting bigger, faster and stronger, but getting the chemistry down and really making sure we have a good brotherhood,” he said. “Obviously, these are my teammates, but they’re actually my brothers. I’m going out there every Friday night trying to win games.”
That mindset is something that’ll go a long way in year No. 2 on the field for Nemec, which is still easy to forget.
Reach Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com and follow him on X @DrewKochanny and Instagram @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey’s Lukas Nemec continuing growth as second-year starting QB
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY Network
