CEDAR GROVE- Can’t be sure how many quarterbacks you’ll be watching the rest of the season donning 86 or 87 which is a number generally reserved for a wide receiver or tight end.
However, as Cedar Grove continues in its quest to win a third straight state sectional playoff title, and perhaps advance beyond that to another Group 1 state final, the player at the controls directing the Panthers offense is likely to be junior Andrew Loftus who began this season as one of the capable targets for sophomore starting quarterback Dan Lastella; but, with Lastella absorbing a fractured ankle on his team’s first offensive play vs. Hoboken on Sept. 25, the player with a strong knowledge of the playbook that veteran head coach Rob Gogerty called on to take over behind center was the wide receiver wearing that No. 87 who had been on a pass route when a horrible injury was absorbed by his young friend.
“I was running my route on the play and unfortunately saw it all happening,” said Loftus, a 6-foot, 185-pound 3-sport athlete who had hauled in a touchdown pass from Lastella in the Panthers’ season-opening win over Gloucester in the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City. “Dan is a great quarterback, and it was terrible to see him suffer that injury.
“But then Coach ‘Gogs’ said, ‘Take those gloves off’ and go in for Dan.
“I had so much adrenaline running through my body I really didn’t feel nervous or anything like that and I just went out there to try and do my best to help us win the game.”
The efforts by Loftus (7-of-16 for 46 yards) while jumping into the fray vs. a high-quality opponent were commendable enough and he wound up guiding his team to a hearty and persistent comeback effort.
And, after trailing high-octane Hoboken, 28-6, early in the third quarter, the Panthers came close to completing the full comeback before being edged, 28-20, by the visiting Red Wings who are a powerhouse to watch in North, Group 2.
It has been the last two weeks where Loftus has really taken off at his new position, as he completed 13-of-15 for 160 yards and a TD in a decisive 41-7 victory over a previously-undefeated Boonton on Oct. 2nd, and then turned in another masterful and very efficient performance as he completed 12-of-14 passes for 153 yards and a TD in this past Friday night’s (Oct. 9th) 34-0 rout of Mountain Lakes (4-3)at the Herd’s Wilkins Field.
For his efforts, Loftus is the latest Parisi Fairfield/Sideline Chatter Athlete of the Week.
As he was preparing to don the Panthers’ white road jersey for this past Friday night’s Mountain Lakes game, Loftus realized No. 87 was too small for him to feel comfortable in performing his quarterback duties so he put on No. 86 instead.
“My number forever has been 87, but when I was in gym class and tried to put on the road jersey that I’d be wearing Friday night I couldn’t raise my arm very well so switched to 86,” remarked Loftus. “Whatever number I’m wearing all I want to do is my best in helping our team win the game.
“I’m learning new things every day about the position with our QB coach Sammy Ventola and Coach ‘Gogs,’ who have been great teachers!
“And, they tell me to just get the ball to our playmakers and let them do the rest.
“We have great receivers like Chris Miller, who is very effective in the red zone, and Jack Velonas who has great hands and terrific speed, plus (running backs) Jake (Catanzarite) and James (Policano) have been terrific along with our O-Line which gives me great protection.”
For the season so far, Loftus has completed 32 of 47 passes (68%) for 342 yards and 2 TDs, as he has kept progressing nicely while filling in for the injured Lastella (36-of-49 for 491 yards, 10 TDs, 2 Int.)
