Top quarterback in De Anza League looks to repeat last year’s success

Senior quarterback Jonathan Walters, wearing No. 2, leads his team onto the field during a recent game.

This is a story that begins in the sixth grade.

Senior Jonathan Walters, then only a sub 5-foot 11-year-old, was playing on the local Pop Warner team.

This is a story that begins in the sixth grade.

Senior Jonathan Walters, then only a sub-five foot 11-year-old, was playing on the local Pop Warner team. He had been a wide receiver then — good, but only started playing because Joseph Walters, his big brother, played football as well. One day after practice, Walters was throwing the football for fun when his coach spotted him and decided to make Walters the quarterback.

Walters was stunned, and for the first few games he was awful. But eventually he came to excel at the position.

In his junior year, he was made the varsity starter quarterback, and he hasn’t looked back since. He won a medley of awards, including Cal-Hi co-offensive player of the year, Prep to Prep SCVAL player of the year, Most Passing Yards in CCS and was ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the De Anza League — he’s come a long way since Pop Warner, and the super-competitive league he plays in today includes powerhouse teams such as Los Gatos, Milpitas and Palo Alto.

Yet Walters is more than a collection of awards and has assumed a leadership position on the team. His teammates speak fondly of him, both for his leadership and for his own work ethic.

“[Walters] is one of a kind. Not only is he the first one on the field and weight room, but he’s also the last one out,” said senior Rick Roy, an offensive guard. “His work ethic and modesty is respected by pretty much everyone on the team.”

And while Walters is one of the most lauded players on the team, he retains his humble demeanor.

“I think [Walters] is one of the most talented kids I have coached, but also the most humble,” coach Tim Lugo said. “He comes to practice every day and tries to get everyone around him better.”

Lugo also thinks highly of Walters’ leadership presence on and off the field.

“Off the field, he is a high character guy who is polite and respectful to everyone he comes in contact with,” Lugo said. “He’s a tremendous leader.”

But Walters’ successes last year mean little now, now that he must lead his team to victory without the help of key players, Kyle Dozier and Henry Wei, who have since left for college. And Walters has double the responsibility â€” he is both quarterback and captain, meaning he must be playmaker and enforcer of rules at practice.

The Falcons have already played two games this season, losing to Sacred Heart Cathedral and Salinas, 40-21 and 41-25 respectively. During these games, Walters has thrown for 551 yards and netting a completion percentage of .567 percent.

Walters’ impressive performance last year has caught the eye of college recruiters. But despite being only 6 feet tall, undersize for a Division 1 quarterback, Walters has the ability to throw accurately and make quick decision under intense pressure. However, his main focus as of right now is to perform well during this season and help the team succeed.

“It is an honor to be a leader on the football team, but most importantly, I plan to enjoy my senior year and have a great football season,” Walters said.