Big-armed Brant Heppner ready to take reins of tweaked Lynden offense

Junior-to-be Brant Heppner's workload at quarterback for Lynden High School is going to see a significant increase this season.

As the expected starter in the Lions' two-quarterback platoon offense with inexperienced Charlie Ayres - how much of a bump?

Heppner will be as close to under center full-time as any quarterback in recent memory, Lynden coach Blake VanDalen said.

And since VanDalen has tweaked the offense a bit for the two-time WIAA Class 2A champions to fit Heppner's size and skill set, it makes sense.

"We will do more pocket-passing stuff," VanDalen said.

Last season, Heppner didn't even play until the second week behind returning starter Kaedan Hermanutz. But as the season progressed, Heppner saw more and more playing time - at important junctures.

"It's more about the leadership role this year," Heppner said. "Last year, we had Kaedan with us, so this year being the leader that everyone looks to is what I'm most looking forward to."

Sometimes soft-spoken last season with juniors and seniors in front of him, Heppner is now the main cog of the machine that is Lynden's offense - with Ayres projected to get a series in each half.

"In my dream world - predicting how a game would go - I would like for (Ayres) to get 20 percent of the snaps, because I want the team to hear his voice," VanDalen said.

Ayres will be in the middle of the action regardless. He returns as the team's defensive leader at linebacker, and will play some running back when Lynden shifts to two-back formations.

Heppner is ready to take on a bigger workload after helping the Lions to back-to-back Class 2A titles.

He completed 58 of 89 passes for 968 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions as a sophomore. He added 367 yards rushing and 10 more scores on the ground.

"I just want to take that experience and use it. I know we've got a lot of new faces this year, but these guys are ready and waiting their turn," Heppner said.

VanDalen knows he has a signal caller with undisputed championship pedigree.

"You're talking about a third-generation kid – his grandpa was a state champion at Lynden, his dad and mom were both state champions at Lynden and (Lynden Christian)," VanDalen said. "This is a kid who's not only seen it and witnessed it, but I think he just believes it. In those situations, the down and distance, and the time to score didn't bother him. He just needed to execute what was being asked."

One of the biggest changes for Heppner in the offseason is how he has filled out. He is now 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, which will enable him to see over his massive offensive line.

"There's very few things (Heppner) can't see in the pocket and it's affected the way we do things because I have a quarterback that can see the entire field on every play," VanDalen said. "He's got a cannon (for an arm), so you've got to protect the short, deep and lateral game. He can make all the throws, so as a defensive coordinator, I would not want to prepare for him."

Even with his slightly different role this season, Heppner said the goal remains the same.

And while a three-peat would be nice, he and the Lions are going to take things one week at a time.

"I'm just taking more snaps this year – that's really the main change," Heppner said. "My approach isn't really changing other than expecting more. We're just trying to make it back to where we were last year and I think we have the guys to do it."