Clash reunion
By Pete Watson/News Republic
A year ago, Jerod Beckwith was sitting on the bench for University of Minnesota-Duluth, watching quarterback Jake Schlafke command the offense. Beckwith, a sophomore QB at the time, was eager to get on the field — he knew it wouldn't happen with the talented three-year starter ahead of him. "I only got in for mop-up duty," Beckwith said of his first three years at Duluth. "I was just looking for an opportunity to get on the field." An eagerness to get under center — and a little friendly influence — landed the former Baraboo High School quarterback at UW-Stevens Point. The Duluth transfer has not only gotten the opportunity to flourish as the Pointers' starting QB this fall, but has been reunited with three Thunderbirds teammates — senior Beaumont Luce, junior Bryan Blum and sophomore Aaron Leonhardt. "It felt really good to come here. I played high school football with these guys and it made the transition more comfortable," said Beckwith. Luce's advice in the off-season last November, along with injured redshirt and Baraboo native Chris Dorner, were major factors in Beckwith's arrival at Stevens Point. "He gave me a call last winter and said that things didn't look as promising as they could at Point," Luce said. "I just told him our former quarterback got moved to different position and we have open room for you. You're not going to have a better shot to start than here. It just all worked out." Beckwith knew what he would be giving up at Duluth — a scholarship, friends, teammates, house — but was also aware of the opportunities ahead. "It was a really hard to make the decision to leave Deluth," Beckwith said, "The whole time (Luce and Dorner) were trying to talk me into it. They'd say 'you're going to play and everything is set up for you.' I made the decision in November right before Thanksgiving." It wasn't solely his Baraboo connections that prompted the move, as Pointers 21-year head coach Jon Miech had heard through the grapevine about the second-stringer's talents. NCAA rules prevent coaches from openly courting players from other programs, so Miech couldn't speak initially with Beckwith. A little serendipity helped with that. "My banker's son (Schlafke) was ahead of Beckwith at Duluth," said Miech. "I was dealing at the bank with the gentlemen and he said 'I know that Beckwith kid is a good quarterback and wants to play.'" "I said, 'I can't talk to him,' so he was going to have to do it. A week later, I got a phone call." Beckwith liked what he heard when Miech picked up. "We ran the same sort of offense at Duluth that they run here," Beckwith said. "They like to spread it out and that was a big thing in getting me to transfer. We signal in plays, it's a fast-paced offense and you control the tempo." When it was time to suit up for spring ball, Beckwith was the new kid in town, but old friends were close by. "I told the players he was a good athlete and quarterback in high school," Blum said. "And I just told him he has a good chance of being the starter and doing some good things for the team." A week into spring practice, Beckwith saw the sign that he'd earned the starting job. "After about week one, we came out for practice and (former quarterback) Jake Swank came out with different color jersey on," Beckwith said. "You should've heard the people talk. But from then on, it's been great. Everybody's gelling." Sticking together Walk down College Avenue in Stevens Point and it's likely you'll see all four players en masse. Beckwith and Luce share a house, while Leonhardt resides next door and Blum across the street. Visitation means an open-door policy. "Our house always tends to be the center meeting place," said Luce, "even when those other guys aren't invited." The four were all in the huddle together for BHS at one time or another on Beryl-Newmann Field. Luce, a senior for the Pointers, is the wise owl of the group and has been amazed at the progress of his teammates since their T-Birds days. "For me, it's great seeing them grow. They caught up to me in every aspect," said Luce, a wide receiver and punt returner. "I just love watching these guys get so much better; they're huge contributers and I'm real proud of them." Leonhardt — a highly skilled running back taken out by injury last month — saw the prospect of learning under Luce and Blum and as the catalyst for his decision to join the Pointers. "That was one of the main reasons I came here, we'd all stayed pretty close and it's been nice that I can ask them questions about things I don't know," Leonhardt said. "Being the younger guy I feel that I can really step up and play alongside the older guys." Blum, who's recorded a team-high 17 solo tackles at safety this season, is the only defensive player out of the group. That doesn't bother him. He gets to watch from the sidelines his buddies excel. "Just to be able to watch them and watch them do well is awesome," he said. "It's nice to see them with you and not playing against you." For Luce, the opportunity to play pitch and catch again with Beckwith is nostalgic, if not advantageous. "I love it. I've caught his throws since third grade and didn't realize how spoiled I was until now. It's nice to know that he knows where I'm at on all my routes. The chemistry is there, not to mention he's just a good quarterback." "He's been my best friend since elementary school," Beckwith said. "He helped me with the offense and has been there every step of the way since I transferred." Ties that bind Every college football player has a certain level of talent — what's done with it is up to the individual. Just getting to college and playing football has never been enough for all four former T-Birds. "They are only where they are today because they work at it," said Miech. "The difference betweeen two talented kids is how hard they work. These four came here as good athletes and they're all working hard to be great athletes." BHS coach Scott Carr saw those qualities early on in their high school careers. "All four of them, including Chris Dorner, throughout high school showed signs of wanting to go on and play in college. There wasn't a doubt in mind that they weren't going to," said Carr, who coached all five. "You can always tell who the guys are that have the desire and want to continue the game. They've all worked very hard to be at the level they are at and are all doing well." Work ethic aside, it's not diffucult to discern who the guys from Baraboo are, according to Miech. "In the locker room they are always kidding each other. It's kind of that high school kidding that comes with the terrritory when guys grow up together and play together. They don't leave that behind. You hear them talking about other players and other schoools. They're very into what's happening in their hometown." Luce didn't deny they have a unique sense of humor. "Coach Miech tells us there must be something different in the water. He probably thinks we're a little weird," Luce said. Equal contributions Though all from the same town each player has, or is making their own mark in the college ranks. "I would say Blum is the surprise of the year. He's a kid that comes in as freshman, says nothing, but through hard work he's probably the best athlete physically on defense," said Miech. Despite battling a recurring knee injury, Leonhardt has plenty of potential left. "He definitely was a starter and was going to have an impact. He has some very natural skills to make people miss and really gets after it. He's a guy that never talks and you'd never know he's there, but when he's on the field you know he's special kid," Miech said. As quarterback, Beckwith is playing his part perfectly for Miech's Pointers. "Because of the position he is in, I'd imagine he was the leader in Baraboo. He's a vocal kid and excited about playing football. We're glad to have him," he said. Though Luce's playing time at wide receiver is sparse, his place on the team is never questioned. "He's a role player, he knows that," said Miech. "He is the spirit and the mouth, he keeps things interesting out on the field. All four kids are a little bit different." If one thing is the same among them, it's their approach to football. "I think we like to have a lot of fun when we play. We don't dwell on the bad things and always look forward to the next play," said Leonhardt. Successful campaign Currently, the Pointers are 3-1 on the season, losing their first game of the year last week to UW-River Falls. Beckwith's numbers have been steady in his rookie campaign for Stevens Point, completing 60 percent (75-124) of his passes and amassing 718 yards with five touchdowns. Blum is having a terrific season defensively, recording two interceptions so far and is second on the team with 26 tackles. The junior has also returned nine kickoffs and is averaging 38 yards per return, his longest going for 61 yards. Luce has caught one pass this season for four yards and has two punt returns to his credit. Before his injury, Leonhardt carried the ball seven times.