|
|
Friday, July 10, 2009
|
|
Pike hasn't reached his peak yet Semi-pro football By NATHAN BROWN Sports Writer Karson Pike is a long way from where he grew up, but plays with a coach's composure in his new home.
Pike represents the fourth generation of his family to suit up for his hometown high school in Golden, Colo. His inherited talent helped him earn the responsibility and privilege of playing under center.
"(My dad) has given me a football since I was first born," Pike said. "He even put one in my crib. He was my coach in little league and was on the coaching staff during high school as well."
|
|
|
|
Karson Pike (9) has helped the first-year Brainerd Lumberjacks into the playoffs as the starting quarterback. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
|
|
|
|
|
While his high school and college playing days have passed, Pike couldn't resist the offer when Brainerd Lumberjacks coach J.J. Kern called him up and asked if he wanted to return to the playing field for the first-year semi-pro team.
As a current coach for the Central Lakes College Raiders in Brainerd, Pike has used his experience as both player and coach to help the Lumberjacks this season.
"I have a little bit more on the reins," said Pike. "When I come back to the bench we talk about what I'm seeing out there and make the adjustments that I see need to be made, and I have some play-calling ability as well."
The combination of Pike's play-making abilities with the adjustments and play calls he has made have resulted in more than five rushing plays of 10 yards or more and more than 15 completions of 15 yards or more for the Lumberjacks already this season.
Pike's secret for big plays comes with a tight end's mindset.
"I always wanted to be a tight end," Pike said. "I believe the tight end is one of the most athletic guys on the team. They have to be able to block a blitzing linebacker and run past the blazing speed of safeties. I have a lot of admiration for those guys."
Growing up in Golden, a 20-minute drive from Denver, Pike fashioned his playing style after 1987 NFL MVP and nine-time Pro-Bowler John Elway.
"I would say I'm a little bit like John Elway," Pike said. "I run a bit better than he did, and he definitely had a better arm. But we both makes plays when we need to."
During his junior year in high school, Pike played in the 4A Colorado State Championship game. After trailing 21-0, Pike and Golden fought back only to see the game slip away when a defender knocked the ball loose from a Golden player on the receiving end of a punt and maintained possession, resulting in a 42-35 loss.
In 2005, Pike was convinced by former teammate Sky Johnson to move to Minnesota and join him at CLC.
"We went 5-4 that year," he said. "We lost a few tough games, but we won some really big ones as well. It was a fun season."
Following the 2005 season, Pike was approached by Raiders' head coach Lowell Scearcy about becoming a quarterback-wide receiver coach. Pike, who hopes to become a Division I head coach, accepted.
"Searcy is a good mentor to me," Pike said. "He points out things that could be better, but he allows me to give my input. It's quite a bit of responsibility, but I like it."
Pike is also studying to become a physical education teacher and hopes to gain additional experience coaching at the high school level before he believes he will be ready for a head coaching position.
For now Pike will show off his playing prowess at 6 p.m. July 18 when the Lumberjacks continue their pursuit of a Semi-Pro Football League Championship as they take on the Minneapolis Maulers at Harvey Shew Field.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
Note: Comments are not edited and don't represent the views of The Brainerd Dispatch. Please read our posting rules in the terms of service policy. To report a post that may be inappropriate, click the triangle alert icon.
|
|
|
|
|
 Top Commented Articles
Over the last 7 days
Most Recent Comments
|
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
Loading...
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
