Pana’s Max Lynch is the SJ-R’s Small School Football Player of the Year
PANA – Max Lynch literally generated banging numbers nearly every week.
Panas star senior quarterback threw at least 100 rushing yards in all but one game.
He even had 318 rushing yards and five touchdowns in the Week 7 win over Greenville, but showed he could beat teams with his arm the following week as well.
Lynch completed 11 of 18 pass attempts for 235 yards and two TDs while nonchalantly rushing for 206 yards and three points for the crucial Week 8 win over North Mac and eventually a share of the South Central Conference title with the league freshmen.
“We tried not to make him our only workhorse,” said Pana trainer Trevor Higgins. “We wanted to spread the ball … but it was just every time you called his number, he was just so athletic and so fast he was making big plays with his legs. I honestly think apart from that Vandalia game (in week 1) he’s been playing without lights for most of the year.”
set standards
Records were shattered and awards followed.
He set school records for rushing yards in a season (2,501) and career (4,048) and rushing touchdowns in a season (30) and career (53). He also introduced a new measure of total touchdowns in a 45 season.
His career grades for passing yards (3,341) and passing touchdowns (41) rank second in program history, and Lynch was named a first-team player in the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 2A All State and All South Central Conference for the second straight season recorded.
He is also the State Journal-Register Small School Football Player of the Year.
“I think this year we were definitely considered underdogs and lost a lot of starters and all-conference players,” Lynch said. “But I think we lived up to expectations well, maybe even beyond what people thought we could do, especially after the week 1 loss (to Vandalia).
“There could have been a lot of doubts that we really lost a lot but we persevered throughout the year.”
development of the passing game
That Herculean effort extended into the playoffs.
He rushed for 280 yards, threw for another 111 and totaled five touchdowns in the opening round of Class 2A, winning against Auburn before setting Fairfield on fire the following weekend.
Lynch rushed for 275 yards and two points against the Mules. He also went 15 of 17 for 267 yards and five TDs to reach the quarterfinals for a second straight season.
Higgins pointed to the win over North Mac as an exciting moment for Lynch and the passing game.
Lynch ultimately completed 90 of 165 pass attempts this season for 1,430 yards and 15 TDs while averaging 11.5 yards per carry and 208.4 yards per game.
“North Mac, we knew they were bigger up front and that’s why we knew we had to throw the ball and man he showed his arm in that game,” Higgins said. “And I think that’s where he finally got a lot of confidence in both parts of his game, so not just using his legs, but using his arm and throwing the ball.
“We had some good athletes around him who were fast and he could get the ball to. All in all, it was just a great year for our offense. It was probably the most fun I’ve ever had naming an offense.”
Go out as a team
Pana (10-2, 8-1 SCC) fell behind Vandalia in Week 1, 34-10.
The Panthers rebounded with 10 straight wins before meeting eventual state champion Decatur St. Teresa in the quarterfinals.
Lynch, who was struggling with a shoulder injury, rushed for 125 yards and scored one goal in the 37-12 loss to the Bulldogs. His injury stemmed from the second-round win over Fairfield when he dived after a tackle.
He took over as safety towards the end of the regular season to replace Austin Henschen’s graduation.
“I told the coach I’d step up if they needed it, and I knew the other guys would step up too,” said Lynch, who had 37 total tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery on defense.
Lynch said they stayed as a team after the quarterfinal loss.
These included senior offensive linemen Cole Nollman and Joel Deere. Both were named to the South Central Conference first team alongside Lynch. Lynch described them as “some big, mean guys”.
“I saw them work hard all summer,” Lynch said. “I knew they would do what they did this year and I’m pleased they’re getting the recognition they deserve.”
‘program changer’
Lynch appears destined to be an NCAA Division III quarterback.
He maintained his stamina throughout each game through a combination of 12-mile bike rides and long off-season sprints. Trying to add weight was another focus.
Lynch said he is currently 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. It may belie Lynch’s true potential in college.
“They don’t really look at the athletics or the feature film, they just see his height and weight and just write it off from there,” Higgins said. “It’s unfortunate, but whatever school he goes to, he’s going to be a game changer. He’s going to be a program changer.”
Contact Bill World: 788-1545,[email protected]Twitter.com/BillWelt
