Adjusting to Barrington no problem for LeMire

Adjusting to new surroundings is nothing new for Matt LeMire.

Moving is part of the deal for a family with a dad who made a career with the U.S. Army. The latest one came this summer from El Paso, Texas to Barrington.

Once the natural and initial nerves were gone, LeMire quickly made friends with his future football teammates. But one football-related part of the move was hardly a snap.

"Being under center," the senior quarterback said of switching from a spread option to a pro formation offense. "Getting snaps under center has been the biggest change."

But LeMire has proved to be a pretty good exchange student of sorts with senior center Pat Bolger. LeMire (pronounced La-meer) has also been one of many reasons the Broncos have moved to 6-0 and doubled their victory total from last year.

And on Saturday, his big-play passes led to 295 yards and 4 touchdowns in a thrilling 34-32 win over Schaumburg. He ended up just 10 yards short of the single-game school record for passing yards set 42 years ago by Brian Hembrey.

Not bad at a school that has produced quarterbacks such as Scott Sagehorn, Teddy Schell and Garrett and Cody Seeger. Even better considering LeMire didn't play much in his three years in Texas and had less than two months to learn a new offense.

"That's what makes it more phenomenal with what he's been able to do," said Barrington head coach and offensive coordinator Joe Sanchez.

"He's been like a sponge soaking up everything about our Barrington offense," said assistant coach and former Buffalo Grove head coach Rich Roberts, who works with the quarterbacks. "It's a completely different style of offense than he's done in his life.

"There's been a lot for him to absorb. But I do give him credit because he's had more than his share of mistakes and he comes back and always makes an attempt to have a positive attitude to change things."

The results have added another positive dimension to an offense that figured to rely heavily on its big boppers upfront and powerful running back Chase Murdock. Now defenses have to account for LeMire, who is 52-for-97 passing for 862 yards with 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

But the 6-foot-2, 160-pound LeMire isn't concerned with accounting for big personal totals.

"Here it's, who cares about individual stats, as long as we get another 'W,'' LeMire said.

That's one of the reasons he quickly fit in after he arrived in July. The large welcoming committee ranged from Murdock to wide receiver Zach Dulla, who was his prime target last week.

He called Roberts "probably the best coach I've ever had" and said the whole staff has been unbelievable.

"It happened better than I thought it would," said LeMire. "The team accepted me immediately -- coaches and players.

"They all introduced themselves to me and that gave a little more encouragement. There was no question I can trust them."

LeMire was used to making new friends since he was born in Ohio and also lived in Germany, Kansas and Hawaii before the move to El Paso.

But LeMire said with his dad retiring from the Army, the family was looking for a place with better educational opportunities. Barrington wasn't a complete unknown since LeMire's aunt and uncle and two cousins live there.

It didn't take long for Barrington's coaches to know they had their potential quarterback.

"In 7-on-7 he demonstrated the ability to throw the ball," Sanchez said, "but the next step is everybody is good throwing in 7-on-7.

"Now can you throw in a football game? He demonstrated in our July camp he could do that."

He also had to demonstrate he could run a different offense. Roberts laughed and said LeMire was stunned when he was given the ability to call audibles, which wasn't an option in Texas.

"Every day is such a new learning day for him," Roberts said. "You can see his confidence gets better and better."

It showed last week as the Broncos needed LeMire to deliver with Murdock out with a foot injury. And LeMire was quick to pass on the credit for his performance to his teammates and coaches.

"It was definitely the most physically demanding game I've had so far," LeMire said. "It was real challenging and the win was just incredible."

Sanchez and Roberts believe the best is still ahead for LeMire. Particularly beyond this year, as LeMire would love to play college football.

His immediate concern is helping Barrington continue its turnaround from a rare losing season.

"It's been a wonderful experience," LeMire said.

A perfect one so far for LeMire and Barrington.