YSU FOOTBALL Zetts emerges as team leader

The junior quarterback said it's up to the players to deliver the success.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State junior quarterback Tom Zetts has learned a lot in the three seasons he has been with the Penguin football team.
But the one thing that stands out in the mind of the former Boardman High standout doesn't have a lot to do with X and O's.
"The main thing that I've learned is that what we [the team] accomplish is totally up to us," Zetts said.
"It's all about preparation and how we perform which will determine what our record will be."
Zetts came to the Penguins after an outstanding career at Boardman High, and was projected by many to be the Penguins' starter as a true freshman.
But in the season opener in 2003, he sustained a broken collarbone and sat out the rest of the season.
He came back in 2004 and took over the starter's role and passed for 1,822 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Last season, he completed 154 of 258 passes for 1,949 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Record-setting potential
With two seasons remaining, Zetts is halfway to the career passing record set by Trenton Lykes back in 1984-87 with 6,341 yards. Zetts now has 3,797 yards and could hold most of the school records before he's finished.
But records aren't important to the 6-1, 210-pound performer. Winning is.
That's why Zetts has been working more closely than ever this year with YSU offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Brian Wright.
"I can see it every day, I have more of a role in making decisions on the field," Zetts said. "I try and stay on the same page with him. I'm just one step behind him and I try to think like he would out there."
Zetts hasn't seen any major changes in the YSU offense this spring.
"There have been a few little things thrown in thus far, but we expect to see some more," he added.
Zetts is excited about getting behind the Penguins veteran offensive line this year.
"They give me so much confidence," he added. "I think that I've only been pressured once or twice all spring."
Lose three wide receivers
He said that the Penguins will miss the three graduated senior wide receivers, especially standout Kyle Smith.
"Kyle did so much for this team last year, not only as a wide receiver, but as a leader on and off the field," Zetts said.
But he also feels that the team has a good crop of receivers coming back.
"We have some great receivers and Josh Cayson moving over has even made the group that much better along with T.J. Peterson," he said. "I'm interested to see who will take the other two wideout positions."
Then there's the addition of junior tight end Louis Irizarry, the former Ursuline standout.
"Lou's just a phenomenal athlete," Zetts said. "When he's on the field, he can make plays that haven't been made around here in a long time.
"I just wish he'd hurry up and get healthy, because when he was he made some plays that made everybody sit up and take notice.
The team leader
Even though Zetts is a junior, he's the quarterback and automatically becomes a leader at that position.
"I know that I have to be more of a leader," he said. "Every day I need to take control of the team and I know I need to get a little more vocal.
"The main thing is that [the players] respect me and I respect them and that's a big part of being a leader."
YSU head coach Jon Heacock says that Zetts has just continued to get better.
"He's a guy that will spend hours and hours in our office watching tape, plus he's a year older and he's stronger and in better shape than he's ever been," Heacock said.
"He made a play this week in practice where he threw it 60 yards out of the end zone. Two years ago he couldn't make that play."
Heacock is hoping Zetts has evolved to the point where he can fix things out on the field during the game that the coaches can't do from the sidelines.
"Quarterback is a learning process that never ends and Tommy will be there soaking up every ounce of knowledge that he can about the game," Heacock said.