Park View’s Leizear Steps Up For The Patriots
Playing quarterback on the varsity level requires toughness, dedication, and some patience. Starting at quarterback as a tenth grader for the first time on the varsity level can be more than intimidating, especially when your first few games are against top flight competition. For Patriot sophomore C.J. Leizear, the first year behind center couldn’t be going any better. Leizear is lighting up defensive backfields with amazing accuracy, and his stats are among the best in the Dulles District. At the mid-season mark, Leizear had already thrown more touchdowns (13) than 3 of the top signal callers in the district combined.
Watching a Park View sophomore dominate in the Dulles District isn’t something new for opposing coaches. Running back Deric Dudinski scorched the district last year for over 1,700 yards and 17 TD’s in just his second year of starting at the varsity level. Leizear’s performance has been surprising to some though, given the fact that Park View still has Dudinski in the backfield.
“It takes a great mental approach along with their physical abilities for a sophomore to play at a high level on varsity. Deric had it last year and it seems that C.J. has followed in those same footsteps,” said Potomac Falls Head Coach Casey Childs.
Like most coaches, Park View head coach Andy Hill was a little nervous about naming a sophomore his starting quarterback. But after watching how Leizear took control in the huddle, and how the other players on offense responded to him, it became an easy decision.
“From my first meeting with him last spring, CJ has been a hard working young man committed to attaining his goals. He invested throughout the summer in our strength and conditioning program which earned his teammates respect and trust. CJ is never satisfied with merely being on the field, but rather works hard everyday in practice to become a better football player. Off the field, CJ has accepted the challenge and risk of leadership. He is a "team-first" player who seems to get better every week,” said Hill.
Park View’s offense is more versatile this season because opposing defenses can’t load up the line of scrimmage to stop the elusive Dudinski at running back. Leizear’s ability to beat teams down the field with his arm is also paying dividends for receivers like Raymond Mends. Mends leads the district in receiving yards (546), yards per catch (20.7), and touchdowns (6). Mends loves the new offensive approach and is really impressed with his young sophomore signal caller.
“C.J surprised me in our first game. I expected him to get rattled but he kept his composure and really made some big plays. I think from that time on he has felt comfortable as our quarterback and we have felt comfortable with him,” said Mends.
Teammates describe Leizear as quiet but confident. That approach is something he learned while growing up.
“My mother has always told me to do my talking with my play and that’s how I’ve approached playing football,” said Leizear.
Leizear has played quarterback since he was in the sixth grade. His favorite quarterback to watch is Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers. Leizear loves the way Favre plays and how he is about the team first.
“Brett Favre is one of my favorites because he keeps quiet and just continues to make plays. I have a lot of respect for how he plays the game,” said Leizear.
When Leizear is not throwing touchdowns, he is working hard on his studies. He currently holds a 3.1 GPA and wants to get that up to a 3.5.
“Academics are important to me and I want to get my grades up as high as possible,” said Leizear.
While Leizear’s start to his career at Park View has gone well, it hasn’t been without frustrations. During a recent contest against Heritage, Leizear struggled and only completed 4 of 18 passes. But that performance didn’t get the young signal caller down. If anything, Leizear used it as motivation to get better. In his next contest against then first place Dominion, Leizear threw for 189 yards and 3 TD’s helping Park View to a 41-16 win.
As for the future and his dreams, Leizear is a big fan of the University of Maryland and would love to play for the Terrapins one day. Of course, that’s a long time from now and Leizear is keeping his focus on getting better each week and helping the Patriots win the district title.
“I’m just trying to learn every day and do whatever I can to help us win each week. I think we can do some great things if we continue to work hard as a team,” said Leizear.
With two more years remaining and an already stellar sophomore season practically finished, Leizear has set the bar of expectations high and the future looks bright again in Sterling Park.
