Prep Football Opinon: Peck is already a win for Mark Morris

Boomer Knows Ball: One former RAL QB admires another from afar

R.A. Long quarterback Ryan Peerboom lines up under center during the opening game of the 2012 season. Current Mark Morris head coach, and former Lumberjack quarterback, Mike Peck can be seen in the background coaching Battle Ground. — Courtesy of the Peerboom family file

Editor’s Note: If you haven’t checked it out already, be sure to read the first installment in our ongoing series on the greatest local quarterbacks of all time, here. And then write in to tell us what you think, who you’d vote for, and why.

Ryan Peerboom for Blast Zone Media

After hearing the news that Mark Morris hired Mike Peck as their new head football coach to replace Shawn Perkins last spring, I knew I had to say something to him. A former Lumberjack QB jumping to the other side of Lake Sacajawea and repping MM’s baby blue? It required at least a mention of crossing over to the dark side.

But after some light ribbing and many congratulations, I really had a chance to think about what that hire means. My jealousy over the idea of Peck patrolling the Monarchs sideline and wearing anything other than red and black stemmed from the fact that I knew he was a home run (touchdown?) hire. But tabbing Peck as head coach isn’t just going to be a win for the Monarch faithful, it’s a win for Longview as a whole. I’m certain of that, but only because I’ve got first-hand experience of the impact Peck can have.

First-year Mark Morris head coach Mike Peck schmoozes with the media following a game earlier this season. Peck was a Lumberjack quarterback once upon a time and has been a mentor to young pigskin slingers since his high school days. — Courtesy of Mark Morris football

I was football crazy from a young age, learning the game through many trips down I-5 to Corvallis to watch Oregon State games with my dad. Longview Youth Football didn’t start until fourth grade at the time, but once I was old enough I was ready and raring to strap on the pads and helmet for the first time, further expanding my love for the game.

One of my lifelong friends, Morgan Baker, was on that Columbia Ford team (“Built Ford Tough!”) and since his mother Jayleen was a teacher at R.A. Long, he served as one of the Lumberjacks’ ball boys. To my excitement, he asked me to help out, giving me the best seats at Longview Memorial Stadium to watch the Jacks — on the sideline in the thick of the action convincing myself I was a part of the team as I ran footballs out to the officials wearing a red and black jersey that was about five sizes too big.