BIDDEFORD — With football being such a tough and physical sport, backup quarterbacks are only a snap away from being out of the limelight then being pushed into the spotlight.
Biddeford sophomore quarterback Nick Leblond will have his chance to shine Saturday and move Biddeford one step closer toward a Class A state championship.
Starting quarterback Tyler Audie will be unavailable for Saturday’s game due to a violation of team rules and will be eligible to come back next week should the Tigers win.
“Everyone’s got to step up at some point during the year, and this is my opportunity,” Leblond said. “This is my chance. It’s a good opportunity. I’ve just got to make it happen.”
Leblond has seen some spot duty for the Tigers this season, and was a key contributor for Biddeford in the 16-13 win over Sanford on Oct. 8. During the Tigers’ game-winning drive, an injury knocked Audie out for a play. In stepped Leblond, who threw a 9-yard screen pass to fullback Nick Gagne to set the Tigers up on the Redskins 5-yard line. Audie returned and connected with Tyler Vigue in the back of the endzone on a playaction pass, giving the Tigers the win.
While Leblond said he was just doing his job, he was excited to help in the win.
“It’s a similar situation. Everyone’s got to step up at some point, and that was my time,” Leblond said. “[On the completion] it was like I could hear my heart beating.”
Biddeford head coach Scott Descoteux said the players and coaches have confidence in Leblond to lead the offense.
“We believe in Nick Lebond, flat out, we believe in him,” Descoteaux said. “When you’re starting five seniors on your offensive line, you’ve got a senior that plays tight end, you’ve got a senior that plays receiver and you’ve got a senior that plays fullback, those are the kids that have to circle the wagons and pick him up. What we run is an offense that we believe, we work all our guys to get them ready throughout the course of the year. We believe he can step in and execute our offense and do the things we need to do to be successful. I have not an ounce of worry for him to step in and play quarterback for us. Not an ounce.”
At Tigers practice on Tuesday, Leblond took all the reps on offense, showcasing the speed necessary to accommodate Gagne in the option game, while showing the arm strength and touch needed to connect with receivers in the passing game.
Leblond said it helps to have talented teammates around him on offense.
“Look at the size of the line,” Leblond said. “I don’t have to worry too much. Nick Gagne is a big help. He’s the showcase of the offense. There’s plenty of help.”
Saturday Leblond will get his chance, and he doesn’t worry too much about whether he’s the right man for the job.
“The coaches trust me back there, so I must be doing something right,” Leblond said.
He may do more than a few things right on Saturday.
— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535 ext. 318.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less