Baker, Martin remain close through QB competition

By Jon Dykstra | August 10, 2017 |

JON DYKSTRA/DAILY FORUM
Northwest Missouri State University senior quarterbacks Zach Martin (17) and Jonathan Baker (15) watch practice with freshman quarterback Braden Wright (10) during Monday’s practice at Bearcat Stadium.

Jonathan Baker and Zach Martin have each waited their turn and as their senior seasons begin, both quarterbacks clearly have their sights set on leading the Northwest Missouri State University offense.

While Baker will be going into his fifth season with the team, Martin is beginning his second after transferring in from Iowa Western Community College before last season. With last year’s starter Kyle Zimmerman graduated, Martin and Baker have been locked in a battle to take that first snap against Emporia State on Aug. 31.

Bearcat head coach Rich Wright has given no indication on who that starter will be, but despite the potential for tension between Baker and Martin, none seems to exist.

“We have a lot of fun together,” Baker said. “Being together for so long now, it is fun to coach each other up. There are no pressures. Obviously you to do the best you can for the football team and that is how we approach our battle as a quarterback. There is no animosity with anything we do.

“Ultimately if Zach is getting better every day, there is no way I can’t be better because I have to battle that kid. If he is getting better, then I am getting better and vice versa. That is how we approach this competition and we know that no matter what happens at the end of all this, it is going to make our football team better and that’s the main thing.”

Martin completed 6-of-7 passes last season — his first in the program — for 21 yards.

Baker has completed 42-of-55 passes the past two seasons. The former all-state quarterback at Maryville High School filled-in for an injured Zimmerman in the national semifinals last season.

“The two quarterbacks do a great job of competing with one another and they know what is at stake with the football program,” Bearcat offensive coordinator Charlie Flohr said. “They have done a great job with taking equal reps, supporting each other, helping each other out with reads and stuff like that, knowing that one of them will be the starter and one of them will be the backup.”

Baker has embraced a major leadership role for the Bearcats despite having the uncertainty about his ultimate role on the field. Wright has named Baker as one of his six captains.

“It is a lot of fun,” Baker said. “You have that faith in your teammates and understand that they have that faith in you. That is a big honor and I don’t take it lightly.”

Baker also has taken leadership in the team’s devotionals which are held after practices.

“It is cool to be a leader on this football team,” Baker said. “Regardless of my position on the field, I can’t worry about that, I just have to worry about being there for my teammates.”

The quarterbacks also get the opportunity to better themselves by going up against the Northwest defense every day.

“It is always encouraging to have success, because when you are coming out here, you are facing the best defense in the country every single day,” Baker said. “So every time that you do, you can put that in a sense of competing against the best out here. That is how we grade ourselves and see ourselves.”