As QB1, baseball standout Caden Sheridan has fueled Sheridan football's 8-0 start

THORNVILLE — Pick a season – any season – and Caden Sheridan is in the middle of it.

Winter, it's basketball. Spring and summer, it's baseball. Fall is about the gridiron.

Sheridan High School's senior quarterback has been a mainstay in every major sport for the Generals, and he continues to leave indelible marks.

Last spring, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder was among the leading hitters in the state in Division II with a .582 average, five homers, 39 RBIs and .972 fielding percentage as a catcher and pitcher. He earned first-team All-Ohio by voting coaches, and a few months late committed to play at Division I Morehead State in Kentucky.

He didn't forget his importance to the football program, however. Not by a long shot.

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'Everything we hoped he would be'

Sheridan's strong and accurate right arm — and his team's improved defense — are the guiding forces of the Generals' 8-0 start entering Friday's showdown with Tri-Valley at Paul Culver Jr. Stadium. The winner claims the outright lead in the Muskingum Valley League-Big School Division.

Sheridan has passed for 16 touchdowns and 1,347 yards with one interception. Of his 110 attempts, 70 have gone for completions. He also averages 4.5 yards per carry with six scores.

His ascent hasn't surprised head coach Paul Culver III. Sheridan is by no means new to his role, having spent two years splitting time with now-graduated Reid Packer.

But this year has been different. His arm is even stronger than previous years, when it was among the best in the league.

"He is everything that we had hoped he would be, but I also know that he is only going to get better," Culver said. "He's such a competitor. He studies."

Culver then explained a pass play during Friday's 48-0 win against Maysville, where Sheridan was flushed from the pocket after protection broke down. He spotted junior receiver Evan Anderson and directed him into an open space for a long completion.

Sheridan returned to the sideline, where Culver inquired as to what he was communicating. It was on-field coaching at its best.

"In-game adjustments," Culver said. "It's, 'when I flush right, I need you to do this because I'm looking here.' His ability to extend plays this year has been second to none."

More: High school football statistics through eight weeks in the Muskingum Valley.

Offseason work has meant in-season success

That, of course, didn't occur by chance. He and his fleet of receivers, led by top target A.J. Winders, Bryson Ruff and Anderson, spent hours on their own running routes and simulating off-script situations that may arise.

It has paid off.

The go-ahead TD pass in the second half against Watkins Memorial came after Sheridan was flushed from the pocket, then rifled a back-footed pass to Ruff in the end zone.

Against John Glenn, with the offense spinning its wheels, he hit five straight passes in a two-minute drill just before halftime, capped by Winders' 36-yard touchdown reception that broke open a one-possession game. He left the pocket to draw multiple defenders, then lofted a pass to the 6-foot-1 Winders flowing in the opposite direction.

"When a play breaks down, he sees someone open, and we just lock eyes," Winders said. "Usually it works out."

Sheridan said he is seeing the field well, adding his receivers make him look good in many instances.

"Bryson had a heck of a catch-and-run last week and A.J. has been doing his thing all year," Sheridan said, speaking of Winders' 28 catches for 551 yards. "It helps me out tremendously when they're always open, getting separation whether it's man, zone or whatever. I always feel confident that they will get open. I just have to put a good ball on it."

He harkened back to the time spent on the practice field in the summer with Winders and Co., learning the nuances and subtle adjustments every passing game needs to thrive.

"I think that's why I have such good chemistry with all of them," Sheridan said. "We were working in the offseason. I came to everything I possibly could in the summer because I wanted to be that leader."

Winders, another three-sport athlete, said Sheridan has become comfortable in his own skin as the full-time quarterback. The rest of the offense, especially the first-year receivers, has followed his lead.

Their offseason work became even more critical, given the loss of veteran receivers like big-play man Andrew Holden. Winders, a junior, said it helped the unit jell.

"He was a little nervous because he didn't have the full reins last year, and just didn't look comfortable all the time," Winders said. "This year, I just think he looks comfortable. He's ready to go and it's nice to have him."

The continued evolution of QB1

Culver said Sheridan's combination of vision and patience make him dangerous, especially on the move. His arm strength prevents defenses from condensing the field and opens up routes beyond both the hash marks.

"Once he gets outside of the pocket he's not super fast, but he's fast enough," Culver said. "His biggest thing is he's never in a hurry. Everything is controlled, so it looks much faster and he plays much faster."

He used a similar comparison to former All-Ohio linebacker Shay Taylor, now playing for Ohio University, in terms of their processing and anticipatory skills.

"When you run 40s he's not that fast, but he played at a whole different level," Culver said. "Caden plays quarterback that way."

Sheridan said among the benefits of being a multi-sport athlete is learning time management out of necessity. He routinely hit baseballs in the winter while playing basketball. He worked on football extensively while still balancing summer baseball and chasing a scholarship.

"When you're an all-around athlete and have to do multiple things there is no time off," Sheridan said. "It doesn't allow your body to rest, but it keeps you in shape all summer and in winter. I think it develops a work ethic."

Leader of the pack

Sheridan admitted that he'd rather let his performance do his talking, but added that he has made a concerted effort to be more vocal as a senior.

That he managed to make offseason workouts, despite a challenging summer baseball schedule, showed teammates that his commitment to football was more than lip service.

"Sometimes I get on kids because our team has so much potential, and when we're not reaching that potential it frustrates me and frustrates the coaches," Sheridan said. "It frustrates everybody. When we're not doing our jobs and not executing to our potential, I get on people because I know we're better than that and they know we're better than that. It's keeping them the best they can be."

It's a role today's generation of player rarely seeks, Culver said. Most would rather avoid a toe than step on one.

"To be able to do that, they have to know you love them," Culver said. "I think the kids know that Caden is just a competitor and wants what is best for the team, but he is willing to say it and that can rub kids the wrong way. It's not in a bad way. He's just a competitor and is going to let guys know."

Winders, a senior, said the team knows the score.

"When you can look at a guy and know he has put in the work day in and day out, you can respect that as a leader and as a playmaker," Winders said. "Coach Culver does a good job of letting guys know that these are the role models you want to look up to, and these seniors have been here for four years. This is what you want your tradition to be, and we want that to continue."

sblackbu@gannett.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Caden Sheridan's quarterback play fueling unbeaten Sheridan football