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Wyoming's Andrew Marty perseveres to prepare for senior season

Posted at 12:00 PM, Aug 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-19 12:00:41-04

WYOMING, Ohio -- Andrew Marty likes to play the guitar and the piano in his spare time.

It seems appropriate given how the Wyoming football team has its best harmony in preseason practice when the standout quarterback is under center.

“As an offense we go as he goes,” Wyoming offensive coordinator Keith Jordan said.

Marty, a senior at 6 feet 5 and 215 pounds, is difficult to miss on the practice field. As football observers say, he passes the eye test.

And while the Northwestern commit has received instruction from the likes of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Northwestern quarterbacks coach Mick McCall by attending several exposure college camps the past few years, it’s Marty’s leadership that is the most impressive attribute to his Wyoming coaches and teammates.

“Andrew is fantastic,” Wyoming head coach Aaron Hancock said. “He is just a top-notch kid.”

Marty, 17, exemplified those qualities by being named a junior captain in 2015. But, after he broke his femur in week 3 at McNicholas, the true test of character arrived. Marty had the difficult task of watching from the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

 

 

“He basically told (his teammates) to stop worrying about him and go out and win the game,” Wyoming Athletic Director Jan Wilking said. "That’s hard for a 17-year-old to do when facing surgery but he is always team first.”

Marty also mentored freshman quarterback Joey Edmonds, who threw for 953 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2015. The Cowboys made the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Marty dressed for the playoff game against Indian Hill but did not play. He's prepared for several months for his senior season.

“I watched a lot of film,” Marty said. “You have to train your mind to get back into the correct mindset (for returning to the field).”

Marty, also a baseball standout, hasn’t missed a beat this football preseason.

Wyoming (8-3 in 2015) opens the season Aug. 26 against North College Hill (4-6) in the 19th annual Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown at 6 p.m. at the University of Cincinnati’s Sheakley Athletics Center.

Marty’s arm strength, accuracy and decision-making make him one of the area's elite quarterbacks. He makes the correct reads and is adept at handling the sophisticated Wyoming offense.

“He is the ultimate competitor,” Jordan said. “He is always doing whatever it takes to have the team win -- whether it’s hand the ball off 25 times a game or throwing it 30 -- he is open to doing that.”

Hancock said he expects Marty will have an excellent season.

“His ability to just take what he’s learning in little tidbits and apply it is just incredible,” Hancock said. “I think when he’s out there he understands what he’s being taught.”

Marty has practically grown up with Wyoming football. Friday nights are a special time when the community rallies around its team. He admits it will be tough to say goodbye later this fall.

But, he is pumped to start his senior season.

“I can’t wait,” Marty said. “Words can’t describe. It’s going to fly by but I am trying to slow it down. Live in the moment and enjoy every practice and enjoy every day.”

Get the latest preps sports news and chat with Mike Dyer by joining our Cincinnati Area High School Sports Facebook group.