RJ McDonald says his goal is to lead. That’s pretty standard for a senior quarterback, but it’s easy to see that Homewood-Flossmoor’s signal caller means it.
into his role after an injury last season. He’s ready to be the guy
from the first whistle this year. (David P. Funk/H-F Chronicle)
Coach Terrell Alexander talks about McDonald as a “citizen” first, a player second. When asked about his own play, McDonald usually finds a way to mention a teammate by name in his response. In fact, almost everything is about the team first.
The only individual goal he has is a state championship.
“It’s not always about being the guy. It’s about being the team,” McDonald said. “You can’t do it by yourself. It’s about those 11 guys on the field and even off the field, it’s about supporting the guys behind you.”
The Vikings are expected to be strong, with 18 of 22 starters returning from last season’s playoff team. Everything’s better with experience.
“The biggest thing is being able to get repetitions (in practice) as opposed to teaching everything,” Alexander said. “We went into it with repetition this year and you can then measure the learning. It’s really nice.”
McDonald will have to play a big role if H-F is to make another run, though. As a junior, he took over under center after starting quarterback Trenton Rosebourgh was injured. McDonald started the final eight games of the year and played mostly mistake-free football.
He says he’s better than he was last summer. He attended the Manning Passing Academy over the summer and learned from some of the best college and professional quarterbacks.
“Mentally, preparation, I came into this year knowing what I want to take over and what I bring to the team,” he said. “Accomplishing a state championship, that’s never been done here. So, I just want to keep that train going.”
The experience gained last year should pay dividends for the Vikings. A returning starting senior quarterback is a luxury most high school teams don’t have.
“He’s worked on his footwork and what he puts into his throw,” Alexander said. “He’s strong enough so he can do it with his arm but now he’s incorporating the mechanics.”
McDonald is a classic dual-threat quarterback. He can move the sticks with his arm or his legs. But even in his first season as a starter, he showed maturity in not tucking the ball when he didn’t have to. Instead, he usually extends plays and allows receivers like Myles Ellis, Jayden Banks and Arthur McKnight to find space.
One play sticks out on McDonald’s junior highlight reel. With 7.6 seconds left in the first half against Stagg, his protection broke down almost immediately after the snap. He stepped left, then broke right to evade the rush, then broke back to the left and had a lane to run and potentially score. A lot of high school quarterbacks would’ve taken that lane.
Instead, McDonald kept his head up and found McKnight in the back of the end zone. He said quarterbacks coach Alexander Pratt was instrumental in developing that poise and ability.
It’s gotten the attention of college coaches, too. He’s being recruited by Grand Valley State, Valparaiso, Illinois State and others.
“I’ve gotten better being relaxed in the pocket and I can definitely depend on the guys to get into space, to make moves in the open field and score,” McDonald said. “I take pride in my guys putting in the work and I know that they can get the job done. I just have to take care of my job.”
As a whole, H-F has some momentum as a program. The Vikings have a ton of talent coming back from a team that took a step forward last year. McDonald believes the team will be more explosive on offense and the defense should be stout, led by senior defensive lineman and Illinois commit Cameron Brooks.
“I think people on the outside looking in feel that momentum a little more than you do. It’s like being in a car. You don’t necessarily feel the car moving,” Alexander said. “We’ve come out a little more confident, a little sharper this year. I think those are good things but as far as what the results are, I don’t make predictions. I’d just say we’re a pretty good football team.”