Colin McEniry didn’t foresee this scenario in his final football season at Marmion. As a senior receiver standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 185 pounds, McEniry was the offensive player of the year in the CCL/ESCC Red last fall. He had drawn recruiting interest from Ivy, Patriot, and Pioneer leagues, with their coaches eager to review his game film from the first three weeks of the new season. However, the team faced a setback four days before their opener. Sophomore Andrew Saltijeral, expected to be the starting quarterback, was sidelined by a noncontact preseason injury.
“I’ll be honest, I was freaked out,” McEniry confessed when asked to switch positions to quarterback. His only experience in the role dated back to childhood flag football. “Even in youth ball, I was a receiving tight end,” McEniry added. After last year’s quarterback transferred, McEniry had taken snaps in early summer workouts to assist fellow receivers. This move also prepped him as a potential backup quarterback if required. Despite initial doubts about Saltijeral’s readiness, the coaches had planned for him to start before the unexpected injury occurred.
Playing out of position presents a challenge, especially since McEniry also plays linebacker. Nonetheless, he seemed to be the right choice. “You’re putting your best athlete, best football player, smartest football player at the QB spot,” Marmion coach Adam Guerra explained. “He knows the entire offense and each player’s position.”
McEniry’s concerns about collegiate play arose. “Am I going to be able to play in college?” he worried. Coaches required his early season film to extend recruitment offers. Coach Guerra reassured him. “It’s showing your absolute leadership by placing the team above yourself,” Guerra stated, recognizing McEniry’s willingness to assume the role.
The transition included challenges. “During my first full practice, I was removed from special teams and defense,” McEniry noted. “There was no contact, but I hadn’t been injured playing both ways for two years.” His initial 7-on-7 offensive period was rough. “I threw only two completions out of 12 and thought, ‘It’s not for me.’” Despite initial struggles, improvements followed. In a matchup with Racine Lutheran of Wisconsin, the team lost narrowly at 23-21. They rebounded with a 34-14 victory over Lincoln Park, a previous playoff contender.
“The nerves were there during the first two drives,” McEniry shared, recalling the 80-yard drive capped by a touchdown that boosted his confidence. His leadership extends beyond football; he has been a starter in basketball since his sophomore year, known more for defense and rebounding than scoring. “I’m more vocal and the glue guy on the court,” he said. “I’m aggressive on defense.”
Throughout these games, McEniry completed 14 of 24 passes. In the opening loss, he was 7 of 15 for 58 yards with a touchdown. Against Lincoln Park, he improved to 7 of 9 for a touchdown, adding another on foot. Coach Guerra praised his adaptability. “Colin is the ultimate team leader. He had a really good game last Friday,” Guerra observed.
Self-evaluation remains crucial for McEniry. “My clock is too quick,” he admitted. By examining game film, he acknowledged the need to utilize more time in the pocket, thanks to excellent line protection. “I need to limit turnovers.” With expanded playoff qualifiers, even amid a challenging schedule in the CCL Purple, McEniry holds a positive outlook. “We can turn some heads, even without me as a receiver,” he asserted.