At the most important position on the football field, Marian Catholic’s Owen Askren upends all of the traditional thinking about linear growth.
The senior quarterback’s high school career has been marked by change and disruption — the opposite of what usually happens for those going behind center, where continuity reigns supreme.
“It’s definitely helped me adapt to change for sure, just being able to create connections with new people constantly,” said Askren, who spent part of his trek as a sophomore at Lincoln-Way East. “I think that’s been a real positive, having been in three different schools in four years.
“It’s helped me deal with adversity, coming into new places, fighting for a starting job and now stepping into this season. I think it’s made me better at bringing people together and leading.”
The 6-foot, 180-pound Askren led the way Friday night for the Spartans, throwing for 183 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-20 CCL/ESCC Red win over Marmion in Chicago Heights.
Getting the chance to run an offense, Askren has completed 52.2% of his passes for 1,150 yards and nine TDs this year for Marian (2-4, 2-0), which is in the driver’s seat to win conference.
And according to senior running back Kyle Scott, who rushed for 265 yards and two TDs against Marmion, the best is yet to come.
“We have a great connection outside of football in school and practice,” Scott said of Askren. “He has great discipline, especially the run-pass option, and that sets up the running game.
“It allows us to be on the same page when we are on the field. He has great vision and a great arm. Whenever he scrambles outside of the pocket, he’s still able to make plays.”
Marian Catholic coach Nick Lopez sees a player in Askren who’s older, more efficient, more mature and better equipped to handle the offense at quarterback.
“His leadership and commitment to get better has taken him to the next level,” Lopesz said of Askren. “He has put a lot of hard work from the offseason into being the No. 1 for us.
“He has great communication with everybody on the team. He has great vision. He just has this knack for always putting us in the right position and he’s able to dissect the defense.”
Askren grew up in Frankfort before moving to the suburbs of Sacramento, California, from the end of middle school to his freshman year. His family returned to the south suburbs two years ago.
As a sophomore. Askren was a reserve quarterback at Lincoln-Way East and dressed for the Class 8A state championship game. Then USC recruit Jonas Williams transferred in.
Askren arrived at Marian Catholic last season seeking to increase his playing opportunities.
“When we were looking for schools, we couldn’t go to a public one for family reasons and this was the closest option,” he said. “The main thing was they needed a quarterback and that was the biggest factor in my decision. I wanted to compete for the starting job.”
“Being in so many different places my first three years, it feels good to finally be somewhere for a second year, to have that continuity with teammates. You build stronger connections that way, and it really shows on the field when guys trust you and look to you when things go wrong.”
Askren, whose father Mike played quarterback at Neuqua Valley and Wisconsin-Whitewater, has the size to stand in the pocket and the athleticism and intuitive skills to make plays on the run.
Few things faze him.
“One of my strengths is being able to flush things quickly,” Askren said. ‘I threw three picks in our first game, but every drive was a fresh start. You have to understand it’s a long game and not let mistakes affect you.
“As a quarterback, when you’re down, everyone’s watching you. If you lose focus, the whole team feels it, so you just keep fighting.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.