MILDRED —
Let’s get this out of the way right off. Nic Shimonek throws a beautiful ball.
It has to make the early morning heat bearable for his coaches and teammates. The Mildred quarterback’s passes are accurate and he has great touch on the deep ball.
And the zip. Improved arm strength has Shimonek out there throwing laser shots to his receivers.
Three days into my two-a-days tour, it’s the most impressive thing I’ve seen so far. It’s not a shock and it’s not taking anything away from other Golden Circle football players.
Shimonek is in a different stratosphere compared to others. This is a Division I football player. That’s why he’s already verbally committed to Iowa. That’s why someday we’ll see him throwing passes in the Big Ten. Maybe in the Rose Bowl.
What matters now is playing quarterback for the Mildred Eagles as they try to be one game better than last year’s state semifinal team. A lot of it will fall on Shimonek’s shoulders.
He’s ready from a physical standpoint and he’s ready to be the leader.
Coaches and players who have seen him this summer compared to last see a different player.
“My arm strength is better,” Shimonek said after Wednesday’s workout. “I focused on lifting weights. I didn’t throw a lot. I threw every now and then with my receivers.”
Mildred coach Patrick Harvell raved about his quarterback’s mechanics as he launched another rocket into the hands of outside receiver Curtis Gonzalez.
“Nic’s footwork is so much better,” Harvell said. “And he’s stronger. He did a good job this offseason. He didn’t stay status quo.”
Here’s the catch for Harvell, Shimonek and the Eagles’ offense: Will his improvement help bring along an inexperienced receiving corps?
I’m not one to talk about last season’s players as a new one begins — they’re gone, new guys have to step up. But replacing a group that starts with playmaker Daniel Folsom will be very difficult.
Are the new guys ready?
They look great in T-shirts and helmets. Johnathan Harrison is a big target who showed good hands Wednesday. Gonzalez, who didn’t play football last season, had a great day of practice at the other outside receiver spot. Mikey Muncy and Raleigh Seilheimer will be solid in the slot.
Harvell is concerned about depth on the outside. There are a few players who haven’t reported for practice that the Eagles are hoping will come out.
A lot of Mildred’s season could come down to how Shimonek handles what surely will be some inconsistency from his new receivers. He’s an emotional guy. He’s a competitive player. It’s going to be hard on him when a teammate drops a pass he puts right in their hands.
Shimonek was throwing the ball with so much zip Wednesday that the slightest lack of focus or nervousness from a receiver resulted in a pass not being caught. Take your eyes off the ball for a split second and you’re not going to catch it.
Shimonek is aware he has to be patient.
“Sure I’ll get frustrated,” Shimonek said. “That’s the nature of the game. I’ll try my best to help everyone out. To help coach them when I need to and get on them when I need to just like my coaches get on me.”
Shimonek played coach several times Wednesday, pulling a receiver aside to give him advice or tell him what he did wrong.
“We listen to him,” Harrison said. “We have a lot of respect for him.”
Harvell has put the onus on Shimonek to help develop his receivers. The final result could be something to behold.
“He has to do a good job of molding these guys,” Harvell said. “He has as much responsibility as the coaches do.”
Sports
Related Photos
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Mildred senior quarterback Nic Shimonek goes through skeleton passing drills during two-a-days Wednesday. Shimonek, who has verbally committed to Iowa, has a brand new receiving corps to throw to this season. Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer
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Mildred coach Patrick Harvell meets with his players after Wednesday’s two-a-days practice. Harvell guided the Eagles to a state semifinal appearance last season, the deepest playoff run in school history. Daily Sun photo/Ron Farmer
Discussion
TW summer two-a-days football tour: Air raid
Mildred QB Nic Shimonek ready to lead new group of receivers
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