WFOOTBALL092607

Chaska quarterback, back from injury, leads with his arm and feet

Chaska's John Straka leads the Hawks in passing and rushing yardage after last year's campaign ended prematurely because of a broken thumb.

By Brian Stensaas, Star Tribune

Last update: September 25, 2007 - 10:57 AM

In an ironic twist, it was a casual game of church football and not the hard-hitting opponents of the Lake Conference that knocked Chaska's John Straka right out of last season.

Straka fell backward and broke his thumb during the friendly game, just days after leading the Hawks to a 28-8 victory over Eagan. He was out indefinitely, and Chaska did not win another game.

"That really hurt a lot," Hawks' coach Mark Young said.

Straka is now fully healed. And while the Hawks are still stinging from the injury bug -- 2006 all-Lake Conference defenders Weston Peiffer and Dan Meyer are both out -- they have their offensive leader back.

Heading into Friday's Homecoming game against Eagan, Straka not only leads the team in passing (703 yards), but his 202 yards on the ground are also a team high.

It makes the 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior smile.

"Being a leader is a big thing I like," Straka said.

Even after a game like the Hawks' 18-12 home loss to Rosemount last Thursday, "I have to keep my head up. I can't have my head down. We can't have anyone's head down."

Against Rosemount, Chaska started the game on a conservative note, using a pass and a rush mixed in with a high snap that resulted in a nine yard loss.

As the game went on, Straka's arm got more and more work. Playing exclusively out of the shotgun formation, Straka used all sides of the field.

Despite the loss, Straka finished 18-for-35 for 204 yards through the air and a touchdown.

The score came as time in the first half expired. Straka hit a well-covered Derrick Engel in the left side of the end zone, giving the Hawks a 12-10 lead at the break.

His running game was a different story -- he ran 11 times for minus-6 yards against a beefy Rosemount line.

He will, however, keep getting calls on the ground. And he may be asked to do even more for the team.

"I'd hate to do it, because he's so good on offense, but we might have to start putting him in at linebacker," Young said. "We're not going to do it just yet. But we might have to use him. He's a big horse, one of our strongest guys."

Straka's also unique to his team in another way: He's never in school.

He's home-schooled. In Minnesota, there is no rule barring home-schooled students from competing on their public school teams, even if not all are in favor of it.

"The whole team is acceptable of it," Straka said. "There's a few wise-cracks now and then, but it's not bad. I feel lucky that I'm still able to play here. It makes me feel good."

With Straka's talent, who wouldn't welcome him?

"He's a big-time competitor," Young said. "Great arm, good head. Great feet. He's still got some things to work out. He needs to relax and just play the game."

Brian Stensaas • 612-673-4127

Brian Stensaas • bstensaas@startribune.com