Prairie Heights quarterback Ethan Hoover is the school’s new career passing yards record holder. Hoover, a senior, surpassed 2,239 yards September 13, in a loss at Central Noble, breaking a record that dates back to 1972. He sits at 2,315 yards as of September 20.
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| Prairie Heights senior quarterback broke the school career passing yards record in Week 4 of his senior season |
Hoover made his first start as the Panthers’ quarterback in Week 3 of his freshman year, passing for 157 yards in 4 games before missing part of the season due to injury. He passed for 520 yards as a sophomore; 1,124 yards as a senior and his over 500 yards through 5 games as a senior. A converted wide receiver to quarterback, Hoover is also nearing 1,000 career rush yards. He has also played safety all 4 years.
“Freshman and sophomore year, I didn’t want to pass,” Hoover tells ParkviewSportsMedicine.com. “Our line has improved. We’ve had the best line so (this year), and I really appreciate it.”
The Panthers’ offense is primarily 60 percent passing to 40 percent rushing, head coach Pat McCrea says. Much of that is based on personnel on the field as it is with Hoover’s style of play.
“He definitely took his licks his freshman years. He’s earned where he is now,” McCrea adds. “We’re celebrating the success of Ethan, but it’s a team accomplishment."
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| Prairie Heights quarterback Kevin Frey held the record for career passing yards since 1972 (photo Prairie Heights Galaxy Yearbook) |
Hoover's new record breaks one set 47 years ago by Kevin Frey, a retired Prairie Heights educator and assistant football coach.
“Ethan has the uncanny ability to run, scramble and make plays,” Frey says “To have someone break the record like him is great.”
Personal records aside, the Panthers’ focus continues to be on the team and building a program that can see success for a longtime. Hoover’s career could become the foundation for that.
Prairie Heights is one of 26 high schools that partners with Parkview Sports Medicine for athletic training, nutrition, athletic rehabilitation and sports performance training and other orthopedic sports medicine services for Panther student-athletes. Learn more at ParkviewSportsMedicine.com.