Former QB forged current one

Jared Stacy, who has helped lead Keswick to the postseason, credits Blake Engelhardt.

By DOUG KATES, Times correspondent
Published November 8, 2006

ST. PETERSBURG - When Blake Engelhardt graduated from Keswick Christian and became a walk-on quarterback at Middle Tennessee State, he left his former team in pretty good shape.

The Crusaders made three playoff appearances under Engelhardt and are back in the postseason again this year. Engelhardt may still deserve some of the credit. During his senior year, he helped mold quarterback Jared Stacy into what he is today.

"Blake was a great mentor," said Stacy as he prepared to play Pine Castle Christian on Friday in Orlando. "He came to me first as a friend. The game was so fast when I got in there. He taught me to take it slower, be patient."

Stacy, a junior, has led the Crusaders to a 9-1 record this season. He has completed 80-of-158 for 1,187 yards and has thrown 18 touchdown passes. He also has rushed for 193 yards and four touchdowns.

Keswick Christian considered Engelhardt too valuable a defensive player.

So instead of taking breaks on defense, he took breaks on offense. That's when Stacy stepped in.

"We wanted Jared to have more opportunities to play than in a mop-up role," coach Rick Sanson said.

Stacy admits he is still learning. But instead of replacing Engelhardt and starting from scratch, the Crusaders quarterback already has a ton of varsity experience.

Stacy said he is learning to read defenses and step into the team leader role. He'd like to do one more thing - win a playoff game. The Crusaders have not won in the postseason since 2001.

"We can certainly change that," Stacy said. "We are tired of having great regular seasons and losing in the first round.

"I don't think it will happen again this year. We have too strong a team."

[Last modified November 8, 2006, 08:34:17]