Third-year quarterback Carter McDonald returns to lead the way for South Elgin

With the experience senior quarterback Carter McDonald has gained over the past two seasons for South Elgin, his dream of playing at the next level is getting closer.

In the two times that Pat Pistorio has been the head coach for the Storm, nearly every quarterback he’s had has played in college. And after a solid offseason and some college offers?

McDonald could be the next in line.

“I’ve been working so hard for this — to go to the next level and play,” he said. “I couldn’t do this without everybody. The offensive line is working hard to help me stay upright.

“I can’t do anything without them.”

McDonald looks to lead the Storm, who need to replace Gavin Mueller, the highest-profile player in program history who’s now a tight end in college for Miami.

Naturally, McDonald gets the first shot at replacing that leadership. Ever since filling in for an injured Jack Ginnan as a sophomore, McDonald has embraced that role.

“He did a nice job stepping in,” Pistorio said. “Understanding the magnitude of the responsibility with that, he’s stepped up in a lot of ways. He’s changed physically when you look at him. He’s filled out for sure. His speed has improved, his strength.

“The most important thing we’re focused on is leadership and understanding what the position entails.”

McDonald picked up an offer from Monmouth in June and attended several college camps over the summer. Pistorio has grown accustomed to that during his time at South Elgin.

“We’ve been lucky to have a wealth of quarterbacks,” Pistorio said. “We have a legacy here that we talk about. Pretty much every quarterback in my tenure has gone on to play college quarterback at some point. That’s been really cool.”

With a wealth of quarterbacks comes competition. This year, that comes in the form of sophomore Oliver Johnston, who had an impressive offseason.

Instead of shying away from that competition, McDonald has embraced it.

“Oliver is a great guy,” McDonald said. “I feel like I’m a good guy to learn from. I tell you what you have to get done, tell you what you get wrong and push you to be the best person you can be.

“It makes you do more work.”

Senior tight end Michael Villarreal has taken notice. In addition to being the veteran for a young, brand-new offensive line, he will replace Mueller as a main target for the quarterback.

“It’s great to see that they’re pushing each other,” Villarreal said. “Carter, having the experience, helped Oliver get more confidence at the varsity level since it’s his first year.

“It’s good having that veteran quarterback.”

Pistorio believes the competition will help both quarterbacks as far as college aspirations go.

“If you want to be a college quarterback, you’re going to walk into a room with five or six,” Pistorio said. “I’m just trying to get them on that path to respect the process with that.”

Pistorio pointed out that the entire offensive line graduated and this incarnation has less size but grades out with more strength. How that group evolves will determine how good McDonald can be.

Villarreal knows that puts more on his plate.

“I think my role on the line is going to be pretty big because I’m going to have to stay in and block more,” Villarreal said. “I’m trying to be a leader on the O-line and help them. I think they have the hardest job.”

McDonald hopes all the work leads to South Elgin finally getting over the hump and advancing deep into the playoffs. That starts Week 1 in Orlando against Oak Ridge of Florida.

“We just have to come away with that one,” McDonald said. “You can’t spend all this money to go down there and not show up.”