When Blaize Schuhmacher first stood on the sidelines holding a clipboard as a freshman, signaling plays for the varsity offense, few would have guessed he’d be the one commanding that same huddle just two years later.
But even then, the young quarterback wasn’t waiting for his moment; he was preparing for it.
“I’ve played quarterback my whole life,” Schuhmacher said. “Freshman year I was the third string. I got to do dummy signals for varsity, then sophomore year I was the backup. I just kept putting in work, getting stronger, and earned the spot.”
The quarterback position carries a heavy weight. It’s a role that needs precision and control under pressure, both in the pocket and in the locker room. Schuhmacher knew that the path wouldn’t be easy.
“Definetely the biggest challenge was competition,” Schuhmacher said. “A lot of people go out for quarterback, and it’s a really hard position to play. I had to stay locked in, gain weight and work hard. Luckily, I had help from people around me.”
Those who’ve watched him grow say that work ethic is what sets Schuhmacher apart.
“Blaize has probably worked the most out of anyone on our team,” running back David Dickson, one of his closest friends, said. “He’s always asking us to come throw with him, and always getting reps with his quarterback coach. From ninth grade to now, everything he’s gotten is deserved.”
It wasn’t just the training that enhanced Schuhmacher’s skillset; it was the sacrifices.
While many athletes juggle multiple sports, Schuhmacher made a pivotal decision that accelerated his football growth.
“I stopped playing lacrosse so I could lift in the spring,” Schuhmacher said. “That really helped me gain a lot of weight and strength. I don’t think I would be able to do that if I was running around on the lacrosse field all day.”
That discipline soon began to show on the field. One of Schuhmacher’s earliest standout moments came during his freshman year, when the JV team pulled off an upset win over rival ESD.
“That game really stood out,” Schuhmacher said. “It was the first time a JV team has beaten ESD in like nine years. That’s when I felt like, yeah, this is for me.”
To his teammates, Schuhmacher’s impact goes beyond his accomplishments. Dickson, who has lined up behind him in the backfield countless times, describes him as an encouraging leader and loyal friend.
“As a quarterback, he’s got a great arm and he’s really smart with his reads,” Dickson said. “But as a teammate, he’s even better. Whenever I make a mistake or someone else does, he encourages us to do better. He keeps us going.”
That balance of holding teammates accountable while lifting them up is something Schuhmacher takes pride in.
“I think being a leader is keeping everyone calm when things go wrong,” Schuhmacher said. “Never hanging your head, always staying positive, and holding people accountable. Everyone’s got a job to do, and I try to make sure we’re all locked in.”
From the coaching perspective, Schuhmacher’s leadership has grown along with his physical and mental development. Head coach Harry Flaherty has seen this growth firsthand.
“Blaize has worked really hard,” Flaherty said. “He’s improved a lot physically; stronger, bigger, better body-control, but what stands out is his mental growth. Playing quarterback at this level requires mastering the schematic side of the game, and he’s become a real student of it.”When Blaize Schuhmacher first stood on the sidelines holding a clipboard as a freshman, signaling plays for the varsity offense, few would have guessed he’d be the one commanding that same huddle just two years later.
But even then, the young quarterback wasn’t waiting for his moment; he was preparing for it.
“I’ve played quarterback my whole life,” Schuhmacher said. “Freshman year I was the third string. I got to do dummy signals for varsity, then sophomore year I was the backup. I just kept putting in work, getting stronger, and earned the spot.”
The quarterback position carries a heavy weight. It’s a role that needs precision and control under pressure, both in the pocket and in the locker room. Schuhmacher knew that the path wouldn’t be easy.
“Definetely the biggest challenge was competition,” Schuhmacher said. “A lot of people go out for quarterback, and it’s a really hard position to play. I had to stay locked in, gain weight and work hard. Luckily, I had help from people around me.”
Those who’ve watched him grow say that work ethic is what sets Schuhmacher apart.
“Blaize has probably worked the most out of anyone on our team,” running back David Dickson, one of his closest friends, said. “He’s always asking us to come throw with him, and always getting reps with his quarterback coach. From ninth grade to now, everything he’s gotten is deserved.”
It wasn’t just the training that enhanced Schuhmacher’s skillset; it was the sacrifices.
While many athletes juggle multiple sports, Schuhmacher made a pivotal decision that accelerated his football growth.
“I stopped playing lacrosse so I could lift in the spring,” Schuhmacher said. “That really helped me gain a lot of weight and strength. I don’t think I would be able to do that if I was running around on the lacrosse field all day.”
That discipline soon began to show on the field. One of Schuhmacher’s earliest standout moments came during his freshman year, when the JV team pulled off an upset win over rival ESD.
“That game really stood out,” Schuhmacher said. “It was the first time a JV team has beaten ESD in like nine years. That’s when I felt like, yeah, this is for me.”
To his teammates, Schuhmacher’s impact goes beyond his accomplishments. Dickson, who has lined up behind him in the backfield countless times, describes him as an encouraging leader and loyal friend.
“As a quarterback, he’s got a great arm and he’s really smart with his reads,” Dickson said. “But as a teammate, he’s even better. Whenever I make a mistake or someone else does, he encourages us to do better. He keeps us going.”
That balance of holding teammates accountable while lifting them up is something Schuhmacher takes pride in.
“I think being a leader is keeping everyone calm when things go wrong,” Schuhmacher said. “Never hanging your head, always staying positive, and holding people accountable. Everyone’s got a job to do, and I try to make sure we’re all locked in.”
From the coaching perspective, Schuhmacher’s leadership has grown along with his physical and mental development. Head coach Harry Flaherty has seen this growth firsthand.
“Blaize has worked really hard,” Flaherty said. “He’s improved a lot physically; stronger, bigger, better body-control, but what stands out is his mental growth. Playing quarterback at this level requires mastering the schematic side of the game, and he’s become a real student of it.”
Flaherty said Schuhmacher’s curiosity and attention to detail help him take control of the offense.
“You can tell he loves football,” Flaherty said. “He’s excited for whatever new installation we have, and he makes sure everyone on the offense knows what they’re doing.”
Confidence, Flaherty adds, has been huge to Schuhmacher’s growth.
“Like anything, experience breeds confidence,” Flaherty said. “It’s one thing to think about playing the quarterback position well, but another to go out and do it. He’s adjusted well to the speed of varsity, and he’s getting more comfortable every week.”
Even through tough games and learning moments, Schuhmacher has stayed resilient.
Flaherty explains this is what defines great players.
“He’s had ups and downs, some really good games and some he wishes he could have back,” Flaherty said. “But he’s been totally unfazed. That resilience is what you want in a quarterback.”
Off the field, Schuhmacher’s personality is just as appealing as his presence in the backfield.
“Blaize off the field is my best friend,” Dickson said. “He’s a good man and fun to be around. He always makes the mood better whenever I feel down. He helps everyone feel like they have a role.”
These qualities of leadership and consistency have made Schuhmacher a cornerstone for the team’s community.
“I think it’s hard for a team if the quarterback isn’t a leader,” Flaherty said. “But Blaize shows everyday that he’s as invested as anyone. He prepares in the weight room, he studies film, and he cares about his teammates’ success. That builds trust.”
Schuhmacher’s story is still being written.
As his first year starting on varsity, he knows there is still room to grow, but his foundation is already built from love of the game.
“I don’t think I ever doubted reaching this position,” Schuhmacher said. “What keeps me going is just the love of football. It’s fun, I want to play well, and I want to keep getting better.”
When asked for advice he’d give to younger students chasing the same dream, Schuhmacher’s advice came with no hesitation.
“Always work hard,” Schuhmacher said. “The older you get, the harder you’ll have to work. Whatever you can do when you’re younger goes a long way. You’ll regret it later if you don’t put the work in.”
For St. Mark’s, that mindset has already begun to shape the team’s name.
A name built around discipline, chemistry, and a quarterback who’s earned every snap.
