Breck backup quarterback Peter Lillehaug learned he was starting moments before kickoff of the Mustangs’ Class 3A, Section 2 quarterfinal matchup with Minneapolis Henry.
Graydon Kulick, Breck’s senior captain and regular starter, was diagnosed with pneumonia earlier in the day and wouldn’t be able to play. Kulick broke the news to coach Jon Martin in a call at the end of the Mustangs’ pregame meal.
Martin waited nearly an hour before informing Lillehaug of the situation, finally revealing the plan to hand control of Breck’s offense over to his junior quarterback in a locker-room meeting minutes before the team took the field for its opening-round of the postseason.
“I was really nervous,” Lillehaug said. “I was excited to see what I could do, as well.”
Lillehaug overcame the nerves to throw for three touchdowns and run for another, leading the fourth-seeded Mustangs to an impressive 39-20 victory over the fifth-seeded Patriots Tuesday at Breck High School.
“We’ve kind of taken the next man up mentality and when our numbers are low, it’s got to be the next man up and we rallied around,” Martin said.
This was Lillehaug’s second start of the season. His first came in a 54-6 victory over Blake on Oct. 10, where he threw for 48 yards, two touchdowns and one interception and finished 6-for-14 passing.
That was enough to give the Mustangs’ the confidence that Lillehaug could lead Breck to a victory.
“We look a little bit different with Graydon (Kulick) in the there, but it comes down to execution and our guys believe in one another,” Martin said.
A change at quarterback didn’t keep Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman from performing as the junior wide receiver hauled in one of Lillehaug’s passes for a 94-yard touchdown.
Chiaokhiao-Bowman, who is also a team captain, said Lillehaug has the same demeanor on and off the field, but his attitude doesn’t translate to how he plays.
“(Lillehaug is) a really quiet guy,” Chiaokhiao-Bowman said. “For example, in the huddle, he might not say the play loud, but he plays loud.”
Kulick, who threw for 1,289 yards, 18 touchdowns and four interceptions during the regular season, has a stronger arm and more experience than Lillehaug, Martin said. Despite earning a playoff victory with a “great” performance, Lillehaug won’t continue to start if Kulick is healthy, Martin added.
“Graydon’s our quarterback and Peter’s a junior, so he’s the heir apparent,” Martin said.
Whether Kulick will be back in time for the Mustangs’ semifinal matchup with Providence Academy on Oct. 25 remains to be seen. Defeating the Lions won’t be easy, no matter who starts at quarterback for Breck. The Mustangs lost twice to Providence Academy in the regular season.
