Valparaiso junior quarterback Kellan Hosek has always believed in his arm.
But finding confidence in his legs has been a different story.
“The coaches have been pushing me to run the ball because it opens up our whole offense,” Hosek said. “It’s helped in some prior games that I’ve had a couple of good runs, and now I think I might actually like running the ball.”
The 6-foot-3, 180-pound Hosek certainly seemed to enjoy it Friday night, when he rushed for two touchdowns and threw for two more as Valparaiso beat Portage 42-32 at home in a Duneland Athletic Conference game.
Valparaiso (5-3, 4-2) needed that from Hosek as Portage (3-5, 1-5) countered with junior quarterback Kodie Young, who threw a TD pass and ran for a 71-yard TD.
Hosek guided the offense with 141 passing yards and 108 rushing yards, helping the Vikings build a 28-17 halftime lead. Portage got as close as 35-32 late in the second half, but Hosek iced the game with a 21-yard TD run.
Valparaiso coach Bill Marshall said Hosek has steadily improved this season but sounded especially pleased with the way Hosek managed Valparaiso’s ground game against Portage.
“It’s been a constant maturation for him,” Marshall said. “Every week, he’s built a little bit of confidence. This is the first week that he found the confidence to run the football, which adds a whole other dynamic to our offense.”
Hosek’s confidence in his arm stems from his background as a pitcher. The velocity on his fastball was reaching into the low 80s over the summer. That strength was evident on Hosek’s 23-yard TD pass to senior wide receiver Julian Stokes in the first half. The throw was a dart down the middle of the field that hit Stokes before an oncoming Portage defender could.
“I saw they were leaving Julian one-on-one on the back side, which isn’t a good idea,” Hosek said. “So I figured I’d take a shot.”
But Valparaiso needed Hosek to keep the ball, too, especially after senior running back Thomas Burda suffered an injury in the second quarter and did not return. Burda had 128 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries before his exit, which Marshall described as “precautionary” after Burda landed on the football at the end of a 37-yard run.
The absence of Valparaiso’s leading rusher gave Hosek a chance to show what he can do on the ground.
“The first time he started a varsity game, he threw the ball lights-out,” Marshall said. “He’s had to run when he’s been flushed from the pocket, and he’s done that effectively. But now to be able to scheme runs for him really helps us a ton.”
Stokes was excited about the increased opportunities that could be coming his way if defenses account for Hosek’s ability to run.
“They have to focus on that, they have to focus on Burda and now that means that they can’t guard me out there,” Stokes said.
Hosek said his future in sports will be on a baseball field, but the wide smile on his face after the win suggested he’s having plenty of fun in football.
“It’s been amazing,” he said. “I’m going to go home and go to sleep happy tonight.”
Dave Melton is a freelance reporter.
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