By GARY VAN CLEAVE
Special to Great Bend Post
ST JOHN - It will be the first of what’s likely many touchdown passes for St John talent-freak Braxton Alpers.
Two years ago as a freshman, the lanky Tiger standout was inserted at quarterback against South Barber.
“Well I was really nervous going into halftime because I got told that I would probably go in,” Alpers said. “When I went in I think it was maybe the middle of the third quarter. It was fourth and about nine.”
Forty yards from paydirt, Alpers took the shotgun snap and looked downfield.
“I felt the pocket collapse around me and I saw Alan (Valenzuela) cut up field so I threw it towards the sideline,” Alpers said.
“It was such an amazing pass. He put it up where only I could go up and get it,” Valenzuela said. “He waited for me to run my route and saw it was covered and waited for me to go to the other side man. He’s gonna be a guy to watch this year.”
The 40-yard TD strike was Alpers’ first in high school.
“I ran down the field to go chest bump him and celebrate. I was hype,” Alpers said.
“At first I just jumped up with him because it was so exciting,” Valenzuela said. “Then I told him this was just the beginning for him.”
Alpers and his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame has been under center since.
“I played safety also on defense last year,” he said. “I don’t know for sure what my coach will have me as on defense this year because we lost a lot of seniors. But we are definitely looking to win some games this year.”
Something the Tigers haven’t experienced much in recent years on the gridiron.
But times are changing here and for the better.
“We won one game my freshman year in football,” Alpers said. “My sophomore year I started at QB and we won three games.”
“He went from working in the lab and doing ok to being better at everything he has done,” junior center Julio Lozano said. “That includes being stronger and being better at making plays as well.”
Valenzuela expects great things from Alpers in 2024.
“He listened to us seniors last year. Even though he’s a junior, I expect him to be the captain of that team,” Valenzuela said. “You can expect a big leap this year and next year.”
“I guess the best way to describe him is just he is an all around athlete. I mean the guy’s a stud,” junior tight end/linebacker Weston Peterson said. “He’s got a cannon on him and if he needs to scramble he can out run anyone on the field. And if you try to tackle him he will just lay you out. I mean he is just pure speed and power. He also has very good awareness. He knows to trust his lineman and sit in the pocket and scramble if he needs to.”
Alpers, a standout in basketball and track, entered his freshman year as third string quarterback.
“I played JV QB but I ended up playing some meaningful minutes against South Barber and threw for a touchdown in a varsity game,” Alpers said. “I started one game my freshman year.”
He’s now field general for a program on the verge of a hopeful turnaround.
“We got a new coach this year for football,” Alpers said. “I think this is the year that we change our program around.”
He’s been a starter in basketball since his freshman season and last year the Tigers reached double digits in victories. He’s helped the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relay teams to state both years, including medal finishes in the 4x8.
He has 197 career points in basketball and could reach 500 with a solid junior season.
“Braxton as a QB is an all around good guy,” junior fullback/DE Daniel Portillo said. “He’s a good teammate always pushing the team to give full effort and to never give up. One thing I like about Braxton is he never gives up, he’s never in a bad mood, never gives attitude. He’s there to get better and make everyone around him better on the field. He’s constantly picking everyone up, he’s always encouraging others.”
“Similar to Lamar Jackson. Likes to scramble but can throw when it matters. Wonderful leader and the second fastest to me,” junior receiver Jace Reyes said with a grin.
St John begins its new season on Sept. 6 at Lacrosse.
“His potential is very good man,” Valenzuela said. “He lost me and a few of his targets, but man his vision is amazing. He knows when to throw it and when to just take it and run and score. He’s such a strong quarterback also isn’t afraid of contact. He was good as a freshman, he didn’t play as much but when he did man he made sure to make the most of it.”
“I think everyone is ready to get some wins,” Peterson said. “We all worked very hard in the weight room this summer. I think we are ready to start changing the culture of St. John fooball and our new coach is helping us to do that. He has pushed us all very far this summer and it will end up showing this season I believe.”